
RECRUIT MANUAL 



GEORGE C. THORPE 

COLONEL, V. 5 MARINE CORF3 




author; ED roR publication by 

TH*i SE^XETARY Oi TttB NAVY 




J, B. IJPP :COTT COMPANY 




Class __Uj_L3. 
Bonk Tg* 



CcpiglitN?, 



COFXRIGHT DEPOSm 



RECRUIT MANUAL 



BY 

GEORGE C. THORPE 

COLONEL, U. S. MARINE CORPS 



PREPARED BY DIRECTION OF THE 

BRIGADE COMMANDER, SECOND 
PROVISIONAL BRIGADE, U. S. MARINE CORPS 



AUTHORIZED FOR PUBLICATION BY 
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY 




PHILADELPHIA AND LONDON 
J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY 






COPYRIGHT, I919, BY 
J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY 



PRINTED BY J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY 

AT THE WASHINGTON SQUARE PRESS 

PHILADELPHIA, U. S. A. 

' ^ APk -3 i3i9 ■ 

©CI. A5 J 2912 



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PREFACE 

The process of learning to be a private soldier — and so 
be ** quit of recruit days " — should not be long if atten- 
tion is given to essentials. The traditional experience 
of the recruit is that he goes through a course of in- 
tensive exercises but does not see in print a descrip- 
tion of the precise movements his body performs. Most 
men are what the psychologists call " visualists " : they 
learn more quickly what they see than what they hear. 
If the recruit has a manual to which he can turn after 
drill, his training will be expedited. 

The elements of the recruit's training come from sev- 
eral branches of military art : infantry drill, description 
of rifle and its ballistics, signalling, marksmanship, 
" first aid " for the distressed, military law and regu- 
lations, laws of war, customs of the service, field engi- 
neering, etc. Few recruits have textbooks covering 
any of these branches. With his pack of sixty or 
seventy pounds to carry, the recruit is not looking for 
a military library. This Manual is a compilation of 
selections pertinent to recruit training. The first 
twenty sections are founded upon experience and cus- 
tom. Section XXIII presents an easy method of learn- 
ing Signals. Section XXIV is a codification of salut- 



4 PREFACE 

ing requirements. Sections XXV and XXVI are ex- 
tracts from Infantry Drill Regulations and marksman- 
ship instructions. Section XXVII gives such " first- 
aid'' instructions as to cover simple emergency cases, 
so that, from the first day, the recruit v^ill be prepared 
to care for himself, or succor others in distress. 

Two important items of training have been omitted 
purposely: Setting-up exercises and Bayonet exer- 
cises. The former because there is no necessity for 
studying descriptions because the actual practice after 
each reveille roll call will be sufficient. The civilian 
intending to enlist would do well to buy the booklet en- 
titled "My System" by Dr. Muller, a Dane; or he 
can invent his own exercises, which should be such as 
to bring into play all the muscles of the body : rotating 
the head on the shoulders ; rotating body on hips ; knee 
stoop ; thrusting fists from the chest to every direction ; 
lying on back and raising legs stiff-kneed from the hips, 
and then, with a pillow or something of light weight 
resting on the feet, and still lying on back, raise and 
lower body on hips ; resting a la quadruped on toes and 
hands and then raising and lowering body with back 
and knees stiff ; and, most important of all, deep breath- 
ing in open air several times daily. The Bayonet exer- 
cises have been omitted because best results are had 
by giving a wide range to flexibility in movements ; the 
soldier is taught to use his rifle with bayonet in the 
handiest way — ^as a club or as a thrusting weapon. 



PREFACE 5 

When the recruit joins the Colors he finds himself 
amidst surroundings entirely new and his interest, nat- 
urally, is at high-water mark. He is then a personified 
interrogation point. That is the psychological moment 
to seize upon his interest and to fix a spell upon him 
that will keep his interest " going.'' The Manual pro- 
vides answers to things he will wish to know the first 
day ; it will tell him how to do things military ; and it 
will excite further interest. For example: Section 
XXII gives information about the U. S. rifle, its char- 
acteristics and capabilities, intended to excite interest 
and thus cultivate aflfection for the rifle, as the coquette 
counts upon exciting the interest of her intended vic- 
tim as a prelude to his enthrallment. 

A squad of soldiers is a disputatious unit; physical 
training develops belligerent spirit which, during the 
period of training when belligerency cannot be ex- 
pended upon the enemy, must have a safety-valve ; they 
argue fiercely about anything — and often about some 
technical point. The lieutenant smiles at such near- 
disorder, and sends a drill book to the noisy squad room 
to decide the issue. The Manual, ever present, would 
be a constant irritant in exciting technical interest. 

The Manual is also intended for use of the civilian 
who intends to join the Colors, to save him the embar- 
rassment of arriving utterly " raw." G. C. T. 



RECRUIT MANUAL 

TO THE RECRUIT 

As soon as you take the oath of service upon enlist- 
ment firmly resolve to make yourself to the fullest ex- 
tent useful. As in civil life the employee who takes the 
most personal interest in furthering the business of his 
employer is the one who gets ahead, so in military ser- 
vice a soldier who takes as much interest in the busi- 
ness of his unit as if he were the commanding officer 
will gain the promotions. You will best acquit your- 
self, and thus best serve your country, if you keep con- 
stantly in view the proposition that military service is 
an active business and that you have a definite task. 
In that frame of mind you will see your duties in a prac- 
tical light and will look for opportunities to make your- 
self useful. You will also be apt to use good sense 
in what you do. 

There are particular ways of doing things in the 
military organization. Learn these ways as quickly 
as possible. Learn the soldier way and forget the ci- 
vilian way. Uniformity of methods aids economy of 
effort. That is the great purpose of uniformity. Im- 
agine 100 men lined up for inspection, all the men with 

7 



8 . RECRUIT MANUAL 

different clothes and different equipment or adjusted 
in a different way ! What a lot of time it would take 
to inspect such a unit! But where all the men are 
supposed to have the same articles attached in the same 
way, a glance down the line will reveal a missing can- 
teen, or other piece of equipment, a bad pair of shoes, 
or an improper piece of uniform. In other words, 
uniformity in such a case makes inspection nearly lOO 
times easier and quicker. In the same way, subordina- 
tion and obedience aid economy. The Company has a 
task to do. The captain divides the task among his sub- 
ordinate units, gives them their orders, and they im- 
mediately go about their respective parts without 
knowing the reason why. If the captain has to go to 
each of his subordinate chiefs and explain his reason, 
and if they in turn must go to each individual of their 
units to explain why they should do a certain work, 
they all will be a long time in starting. But if each in- 
dividual has the habit of promptly obeying whatever 
order he receives, the captain's order will start the 
whole unit at its task. You are, then, a part of a great 
machine. You must learn your part and do it. The 
fighting machine in which the parts work the best will 
be the machine that wins battles. It is largely ** up to '' 
the recruit. The following notes may help you to learn 
your part quickly so that you will soon be able to 
do your part of the great task of winning battles for 
your country. 



i 



RECRUIT MANUAL 9 

I. The first thing to appreciate is that you are sub- 
ject to orders of officers and non-commissioned officers 
(NCO's) placed over you. Saturate yourself with the 
idea that you always will promptly, cheerfully and care- 
fully obey orders. Think m,uch more of your duties 
than of your rights. A man who thinks much of his 
rights, instead of his duties, does not make a good 
soldier. He is called a " sea lawyer," and is detested 
by everyone. The fellow who thinks only of his rights 
thinks only of himself, while the fellow who thinks of 
his duties thinks of others. Doing one's duty to the 
Government is merely doing one's share of the work; 
the man who shirks any part of his duty, unlawfully 
shifts just that much upon his comrades. The way it 
works out is that no one wants to do anything for the 
shirk while everyone wants to do something for the 
generous v/illing hand. It is really a paying proposi- 
tion tO' think of one's duties and to look for opportuni- 
ties for helping out instead of shirking. It pays to be 
willing and anxious to do much more than what is ab- 
solutely required. 

II. One of the first steps in the recruit's career is to 
report for duty. Learn how to report. Assuming that 
your name is Smith and that you are reporting as or- 
derly, you say, ** Private Smith reports for duty as or- 
derly, Sir." Making a request : " Private John Smith 
requests permission to leave the camp. Sir." When re- 
plying to a question or asking a question or making a 



10 RECRUIT MANUAL 

statement, conclude with " Sir." For example : " Yes, 
Sir." " The radio operator is here, Sir." The purpose 
of these forms of address is to further uniformity and 
cohesion, as a sort of traditional password between 
mihtary people. When a soldier reports thus, the of- 
ficer to whom he reports at once recognizes that the 
soldier is instructed. It is a part of the technique of the 
military profession. 

III. From the recruiting office to your first post of 
duty you will travel as a member of a detachment 
under the command of the senior member. Of course 
you will implicitly obey the person in command dur- 
ing the trip. Upon arrival at your post you will be 
assigned to a company. You should then: 

1. See the First Sergeant of your Company, and get 
assigned to a bunk. 

2. Ask where to go for your uniform and equipment. 

3. Draw uniform and be sure to get good fits, par- 
ticularly comfortable shoes. Draw equipment. 

4. Settle yourself in an orderly manner in the space 
allowed around your bunk, observing post orders as to 
uniformity and arrangement. 

5. Buy a thin pocket-notebook that will fit in a 
pocket without bulging it. 

6. Obtain a copy of garrison regulations if copies 
are available for general distribution; if not available, ask 
the First Sergeant for his copy; read it through and note 
in notebook all such items as you might not remember. 



RECRUIT MANUAL 11 

7. Note in notebook also the following: 

(a) No. of rifle (which No. should always be re- 
membered). 

(b) List of articles of uniform supposed to be had 
according to orders, and the number of such 
articles actually drawn. Check this list weekly 
and keep quantity of clothing up to require- 
ments. 

(c) List all other articles of Government property 
supposed to be had and the quantities actually 
received. Check this list weekly. When any 
article is lost or broken, report same promptly 
to First Sergeant in order that responsibility 
may then and there be fixed, and that the miss- 
ing article may be replaced. If you delay this 
procedure you will probably have to pay for the 
lost or missing or broken articles. 

(d) Look on Order Board for list of routine calls 
and copy same in notebook. Note carefully 
times for drill calls and be particular to be on 
hand promptly in proper uniform. 

8. Mark every article of clothing as prescribed by 
orders. 

IV. Keep every button sewed on and promptly mend 
every rip or tear. Keep shoes well poHshed and the 
uniform as smart as it can be kept. The soldier's ap- 
pearance is an important feature to his success. It 
has been found that the soldier who is careful about 



12 RECRUIT MANUAL 

his uniform is invariably careful about his duties. Just 
before important raids at the French front troops in- 
tended for that great service are taken to the rear 
for a short intensive training during which great at- 
tention is paid to the details of personal appearance, 
exactness of dress, and military deportment. They say 
that this aids in cohesion; that it creates alertness on 
the part of the soldier so that he will more quickly 
and exactly respond to orders of his superiors at the 
critical moment. 

V. Shave yourself daily if there is anything to shave ; 
the daily shaves make one feel well, whereas without a 
shave one feels as one looks — sloppy. Don't depend 
upon a barber for shaving. 

VI. Get a military haircut at least every two weeks. 
A military haircut consists in having the hair clipped 
for one inch from bottom at sides and back and cut 
short on top. 

VII. Bathe daily, and be on the lookout for, and 
take precautions against, all kinds of vermin. Don't 
sit with bare skin against seats in the Head (toilet). 

VIII. See that shoes fit and are kept in excellent 
repair. On the march the soldier is made miserable 
by ill-fitting or broken-out shoes. 

IX. Keep socks darned. Use only undarned, whole 
socks on long marches. Start the march with one 
whole pair of strong socks on the feet and two good 



RECRUIT MANUAL 13 

pairs in the pack. Darned or holey socks blister the 
feet on the march. In barracks and on short marches it 
is good practice to wear thin socks to toughen the feet. 

X. After bathing the feet daily, dry them very thor- 
oughly; then rub them briskly with the hands and see 
that they are perfectly dry between the toes. Dust a little 
powder between the toes. If any toe-nail inclines to grow 
in, put a small piece of cotton under the nail where it 
presses against the flesh, and so train it away from the 
flesh it cuts. 

XI. Do your own laundry that you may know how 
when you get to the front where you may not have a 
laundry or laundress. You will thus also be independent 
of dirty laundry workers. 

XII. If not a strong swimmer, miss no opportunity 
to go swimming. When there is plenty of time for dry- 
ing clothes, practice diving in, dressed, and practice res- 
cuing comrades in feigned distress. 

XIII. Cultivate your powers of observation and atten- 
tion. Instead of going through life with eyes shut, keep 
them wide open. A good way to improve along this line 
is to go walking with a comrade and compete with him 
in seeing which one can remember the largest number 
of details of the street passed through or of the country 
passed over. 

XIV. Develop your initiative. Be alert to see what 
should be done and then do it. Do not be content with 
always doing no more than ordered to do, except on duty 



14 RECRUIT MANUAL 

with specific orders covering exactly what is to be done. 
Do not be content with doing only the exercises that come 
in the unit, but take an interest between drills so as to 
make yourself more fit than the average. For example, 
some of the older soldiers spend a great deal of time by 
themselves practising the position and aiming drills pre- 
liminary to target practice. 

XV. Establish good relations with comrades and always 
be ready to lend a helping hand. Be good-natured. Of 
course you will not be a tale-bearer, but you must, when 
on duty or in charge, report all violations of regulations 
or orders. 

XVI. Learn to recognize the uniforms of the differ- 
ent ranks and branches of the service. 

XVII. Every captain is anxious to get personally ac- 
quainted with his men. You should be as anxious to get 
personally acquainted with your officers. The best way 
to accomplish this is to earn recognition by conspicuously 
excellent performance of] duty and by earnestness. Go 
to your officers for advice upon private affairs as well as 
upon matters pertaining to duty. If you find the officer 
busy upon your first visit, try again. It usually is re- 
quired that the soldier first apply to the First Sergeant 
for permission to see the Captain or Commanding Officer. 
The reason for this is to help the soldier and to save the 
officer's time, because in many cases the First Sergeant 
can tell the soldier what he wants to know, and it must 
be recognized that the Commanding Officer is a busy man 



RECRUIT MANUAL 15 

and it wouldn't do for him to give one or more interviews 
with every man of his command every day. If you have 
news from home upon which you would like advice, see 
one of your officers. 

XVIII. If you have some special knowledge or trade 
that fits you to do some special duty better than it is be- 
ing done, tell the First Sergeant. 

XIX. Don't hesitate to ask questions of your Squad 
Leader or Section Leader. If there is any point in your 
Drill Regulations or about your duty that you do not 
understand, first ask your Squad Leader. It is a good 
thing to discuss points in the Drill Regulations with your 
comrades. 

XX. Learn how to make coffee and hot chocolate, 
and how to mix and cook components of the ration in the 
meat can. The Practice March offers a good opportunity 
for experimenting in this line. Be always on the look- 
out to improvise, and to make best use of the ration. It 
is remarkable how much better a meal one soldier will 
make than another, both using the same ration. If 
bivouacking or resting on the march near a farm, it may 
be possible to buy for a penny an ear of sweet com or a 
big potato, either of which roasted would greatly im- 
prove the meal. Learn how to build a little fire with 
minimum of smoke. 

XXI. You should know that if taken a prisoner of war 
you should give, if questioned upon the subject, your 
name and rank, but no other information. Don't allow 



16 RECRUIT MANUAL 

the enemy to pull your leg for anything more. Don't 
let him scare you into telHng one thing more. To 
give other information would aid the enemy and so be 
treasonable. 

XXII. Learn all the parts of the rifle. See page 27, 
Infantry Drill Regulations, 1911, or get the pamphlet 
entitled, ^* Description and Rules for the Management of 
the U. S. Rifle." Also learn : 
Rifle caliber is .30. 

Weight of rifle without bayonet is 9.69 pounds. 
Bayonet weighs 1 pound. 
Initial velocity is 2,700 feet per second. 
Bullet weighs 150 grains (about one-third 

ounce). 
Powder charge 50 grains (about one-ninth 

ounce). 
Weight of ball cartridge 395.5 grains (about 1 

ounce). 
Weight of one bandolier containing 60 rounds, 3 

pounds. 
Maximum range of rifle, 4,891.6 yards (about 

2^ miles or 5 1-3 kilometers). 
Time of flight for extreme range is 38 seconds. 
25 aimed shots have been fired in 1 minute, and 

40 unaimed. 
At 500 yards the bullet will penetrate 16 inches 
moist sand, 13 inches dry sand, 2 feet loam, 14 
inches seasoned oak. 



RECRUIT MANUAL 17 

At 100 yards, it will penetrate a brick wall nearly 
6 inches thick, or one-third inch of boiler plate 
steel. 

Its trajectory is so flat that, firing from prone posi- 
tion at 500 yards range, an infantryman, stand- 
ing, or mounted man, would be struck anywhere 
within 500 yards, or anywhere within 125 yards 
in rear of point of impact with ground; or at 
600 yards range anywhere within such range 
and 95 yards beyond. 

The rifle has 93 component parts ; the bayonet 12. 

XXIII. Learn from your Squad Leader how to dis- 
mount and assemble your rifle. Look each part over care- 
fully, learn its name, and note that every curve, notch, 
etc., of each part has its use. You will see that your 
U. S. Rifle is a remarkable weapon. 

XXIV. There are two principal codes of signals to 
learn: the Semaphore Signals (with 2 flags) and the 
International Morse (with one flag). By adopting 
schemes as memory aids, you may learn them easily 
and quickly. The easiest way is by using the Clapp 
Pocket Signal Disk, manufactured by Melrose Stand- 
ard Novelty Co., Melrose, Mass. (Cost about 25 cents.) 
Get a conxrade very much interested in signalling and 
signal to each other at least a short time each day. Sep- 
arate by about 200 yards with the understanding that 
the one that fails to read the other's signal will come to 
the other to receive the message orally. Become ex- 

2 



18 RECRUIT MANUAL 

pert signallers. The pay can be increased $3 per 
month. 

1. The Semaphore Code can be learned in another way. 
Draw in your notebook or on a piece of cardboard the 
dial of a clock with marks at the following o'clocks: 
12 (at the top), 1 :30, 3, 4 :30, 6, 7 :30, 9, 10 :30. Imagine 
the signaller behind the dial working its hands with a 
flag at the end of each : 

(a) Leaving the hour hand at 6, move the minute 
hand to : 

7:30 for A or for Numeral 1 or for "Error" 

9 for B or for Numeral 2 
10:30 for C or for Numeral 3 
12 for D or for Numeral 4 

1.30 for E or for Numeral 5 

3 for F or for Numeral 6 

4:30 for G or for Numeral 7 

Thus in two or three minutes you have learned one- 
third of the code. 

(b) Now hour hand comes into play; hold hour 
hand at 7 :30 and move minute hand to : 

9 for H or for Numeral 8 
10:30 for I or for Numeral 9 
12 for K or for word Negative 

1:30 for L or for word Preparatory 

3 for M 

4:30 for N or for word Annulling 

You have now, in 5 or 10 minutes, learned half the 
code. 



RECRUIT MANUAL 19 

(c) Hold hour hand at 9 and move minute hand to : 

10:30 for O or for the word Interrogatory 
12 for P or for the word Affirmative 

1:30 for Q 

3 for R or for the word Acknowledge 

4:30 for S 

(d) Hold the hour hand at 12 and move the minute 
hand to: 

3 for the letter J 
4:30 for the letter V 

(e) Hold hour hand at 10:30 and move minute 
hand to: 

12 for the letter T 
1:30 for the letter U 

(/) Hold hour hand at 1 :30 and move minute 
hand to : 

3 for the letter W 
4:30 for the letter X 

(g) Hold hour hand at 3 and move minute hand to : 

10:30 for the letter Y 
4:30 for the letter Z 

(h) To call the "Attention '' of the objective, flutter 

the 2 flags, one at 10 :30, the other at 1 :30. 

(0 Between words make ** Interval " by bringing 

both flags to 6. 
(/) To indicate that numerals follow, cross flags 
above 12. 



20 RECRUIT MANUAL 

2. International Morse Code: used for Wig-Wag, 
Telegraph, Radiograph, Heliograph, Searchlight, Flash 
Lantern, or Whistle signalling: 



E . 


w.-- 


L .-.. 


1 . 


I .. 


D -.. 


Y -. — 


2 .. 


S ... 


U ..- 


P .- -. 


3 ...-- 


H.... 


G --, 


X -..- 


4 ....- 


T - 


R .-. 


V ...- 


5 


M- - 


K -.- 


z - -.. 


6 -.... 


O 


J . 


Period 


. 7--... 


A .- 


B "... 


Comma . - . - 


. - 8 .. 


N -. 


F ,,-. 


? ..--.. 


9 . 


C -.-. 


Q--.- 








3. In Wig-Wag, " position " is with flag held vertically 
above the head, signalman facing objective. To make a 
dot, move flag to right of sender from vertical and back 
to vertical quickly (i.e., from 12 to 9 o'clock). To make 
dash, move flag from 12 to 3 o'clock and back to 12 
quickly. A third motion, called " 3," is from^ vertical to 
the front of feet and back to vertical. To call a station, 
make its call letter at intervals until acknov^ledged. In 
signalling a comrade for practice his call letter would be 
the first letter of his name. If call letter of objective is 
unknown, wave your flag until acknowledged. To ac- 
knowledge a call, signal AA 3 (front). Other abbre- 
viations are : 

End of word 3 (i.e., front) 

End of sentence 33 



RECRUIT MANUAL 21 

End of message 333 
Numerals follow (or numerals end) xx3 
Signature follows sig3 
Error EE3 
Cease signalling AAA3 
Wait a moment 1-3 

Repeat after (word) CC3A3 (word) 
Repeat last word CC3 
Repeat last message CCC3 
Move a little to the right RR3 
Move a little to the left LL3 
Signal faster .-3 

4. In heliograph, a short flash is for dot and long 
flash for dash. 

5. In using code by whistle or trumpet, one short 
blast is for dot and long blast for dash. 

XXV. Salutes shall be exchanged between officers 
and enlisted men not in a military formation, nor at 
drill, work, games or mess, on every occasion of their 
meeting, passing near, or being addressed, the officer 
junior in rank or the enlisted man saluting first: 

1. When an officer enters a room where there are 
several enlisted men, the word "Attention " is given by 
someone who perceives him, when all rise, uncover, 
and remain standing at attention until the officer leaves 
the room or directs " Carry on." Men at mess stop 
eating and sit at attention. 

2. An enlisted man seated rises on the approach of 



22 RECRUIT MANUAL 

an officer, faces toward him, stands at attention, and 
salutes. If standing, he faces the officer for the same 
purpose. If the parties remain in the same place or 
on the same ground, such compliments need not be 
repeated. 

3. Before addressing an officer, a man makes the pre- 
scribed salute with the weapon with which he is armed, 
or, if unarmed, with the right hand; he repeats the sa- 
lute at the conclusion of the conversation. 

4. Officers and men, covered or uncovered, salute 
military persons as follows: With arms in hand, sa- 
lute prescribed for that arm (sentinels on interior guard 
duty excepted) ; without arms in hand, the right hand 
salute. 

5. Sentinels on interior guard duty and on post, con- 
form to principles herein set forth for saluting, but sa- 
lute by presenting arms when armed with rifle. They do 
not salute if saluting unduly interferes with proper per- 
formance of their duties. 

6. A man in formation shall not salute when directly 
addressed, but shall come to " attention " if at ease or 
at rest. 

7. Saluting distance is that within which recognition 
is easy — in general not over 30 paces. 

8. In public conveyances, such as railway trains and 
street cars, and in public places, such as theatres, salutes 
may be omitted when palpably inappropriate or apt to 
disturb civilians present. 



RECRUIT MANUAL 23 

9. A mounted man dismounts before addressing an 
officer. 

10. The hand salute shall be made as follows : Raise 
the right hand smartly till the tip of the forefinger touches 
the lower part of the headdress or forehead above the 
right eye, thumb and fingers extended and joined, palm 
to the left, forearm inclined at about 45 degrees, hand 
and wrist straight ; at the same time look toward the per- 
son saluted. Then drop the arm smartly by the side (with- 
out any stops or jerks in coming down). (Never salute 
with left hand.) 

11. Officers of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and of 
foreign services of countries (not at war with the United 
States) are saluted without prejudice as to the service 
or branch of the saluting person. 

12. Salutes and honors, as a rule, are not paid by troops 
actually engaged in drill, on the march, or in the field un- 
der campaign or simulated campaign conditions. Troops 
on service of security pay no compliments whatever. 

13. Whenever the National Anthem is played at any 
place where persons belonging to the military service are 
present, all officers and men not in formation shall stand 
at attention facing toward the music (except at Retreat, 
when they face toward the flag). If covered, salute at 
first note of anthem, retaining the position of a salute 
until the last note of the anthem., if in uniform. If in 
civiUan dress, and covered, uncover at first note of an- 
them, hold headdress opposite left shoulder and so re- 



24 RECRUIT MANUAL 

main until last note of anthem, except in inclement 
weather headdress may be slightly raised. The same 
rules apply when '* to the color " or " to the standard " 
is sounded as when National Anthem is played. 

14. In passing the uncased color, or being passed by 
such color, render honors as follows : If in uniform, sa- 
lute as in paragraph 4 above ; if in civilian dress and 
covered, uncover and hold headdress opposite left shoul- 
der with right hand ; if uncovered, salute by hand salute. 

15. Sentinels guarding prisoners at a halt, do not ren- 
der honors, but escorting prisoners on the march, render 
rifle salute if armed with rifle ; otherwise, the hand salute. 

XXVI. As soon as you can obtain for your own use 
an Infantry Drill Regulations, U. S. A., thoroughly read 
as far as paragraph 158, of which some parts should be 
learned by heart. These are the items of your elementary 
tactical education as a private. Then you should read 
paragraphs 199 to 231 and 290 to 326 to obtain a general 
view of the larger tactical task in which you, as a soldier, 
participate. Your first aim must be to make a good pri- 
vate soldier ; when, from having learned your duties in 
that capacity and from having had some experience, you 
are capable of instructing others, and leading them, you 
must think of becoming a corporal. Then you will study 
the Drill Regulations with a view to commanding a squad. 
When you are a corporal and, having shown your quali- 
fications for leadership, you will advance to higher and 
higher rank, and with each advance you will study Drill 



RECRUIT MANUAL 25 

Regulations with special attention to the requirements 
imposed by these increased responsibilities. The first 
items of your tactical education will be covered by the 
following instructions taken from Infantry Drill Regu- 
lations, U. S. Army, 1911, the numbers at beginning 
of paragraphs being the numbers of paragraphs in such 
Drill Regulations dealing with the item presented : 

1. Success in battle is the ultimate object of all miili- 
tary training; success may be looked for only when the 
training is intelligent and thorough. 

6. (a) Drills executed at Attention and the cere- 
monies are disciplinary exercises designed to teach pre- 
cise and soldierly movement, and to inculcate that 
prompt and subconscious obedience which is essential 
to proper military control. To this end smartness and 
precision should be exacted in the execution of every 
detail. 

(6) The purpose of extended order drill is to teach 
the mechanism of deployment, of the firings, and, in 
general, of the employment of troops in combat. Such 
drills are in the nature of disciplinary exercises and 
should be frequent, thorough and exact in order to hab- 
ituate men to the firm control of their leaders. Ex- 
tended order drill is executed at ease. The Company 
is the largest unit that executes extended order drill. 

(c) Field exercises are for instruction in the du- 
ties incident to campaign. Assumed situations are 
employed. 



26 RECRUIT MANUAL 

(d) Combat exercise, a form of field exercise of the 
company, battalion, and larger units, consists of the 
application of tactical principles to asstmied situations, 
employing in the execution the appropriate forma- 
tions and movements of close and extended order. 

10. Any movement may be executed either from 
the halt or when marching, unless otherwise prescribed. 
If at a halt, the command for movements involving 
marching need not be prefaced by forward, as: 1. 
Column right (left), 2. MARCH. 

11. Any movement not specially excepted may be 
executed in double time. 

14. To stay the execution of a movement when 
marching, for the correction of errors, the command: 1. 
In place, 2. HALT, is given. All halt and stand fast, 
without changing the position of the pieces. To re- 
sume the movement the commiand: 1. Resume, 2. 
MARCH, is given. 

15. To revoke a preparatory comm;and, or, being at 
a halt, to begin anew a movement improperly begun, 
command, AS YOU WERE, at which movement ceases 
and former position is resumed. 

16. Unless otherwise announced, the guide of a com- 
pany or subdivision of a company, in line is right; of a 
battalion in line or line of subdivisions or of a deployed 
line, center; of a rank in column of squads, toward 
side of the guide of the company. To march with guide 
other than as just prescribed, or to change the guide, 



RECRUIT MANUAL 27 

command: Guide (right, left or center). In successive 
formations into line, the guide is toward the point of 
rest; in platoons or larger subdivisions it is so an- 
nounced. The announcement of the guide, when given in 
connection with a movement, follows the command of 
execution for that movement, except: 1. As skirmish- 
ers, guide right (left or center), 2. MARCH. 

18. Execute partial changes of direction by insert- 
ing the word ** half '' in the preparatory command, as 
Column half right, or Right half turn. A change of 
45 degrees is executed. Slight changes of direction 
effected by command : " Incline to the right (left) : 
The guide or guiding element moves in indicated direc- 
tion and remainder of command conforms. 

21. In close order, all details, detachments, and 
other bodies of troops are habitually formed in double 
rank. To insure uniformity of interval between files 
when falling in, and in alignments, each man places 
the palm of the left hand upon the hip, fingers pointing 
downward. In the first case, hand is dropped by the 
side when next man on left has his interval; in second 
case, at command front. 

38. There are two kinds of commands: (1) Pre- 
paratory, such as forward, indicates the movement that 
is to be executed. (2) Execution, such as MARCH, 
HALT, or ARMS, causes the execution. Preparatory 
commands are indicated by black face lower case ; those 
of execution by BLACK FACE CAPITALS. 



28 RECRUIT MANUAL 

50. POSITION OF THE SOLDIER, or ATTEN- 
TION : Heels on the same line and as near each other 
as the conformation of the man permits. Feet turned 
out equally and forming an angle of about 45 degrees. 
Knees straight without stiffness. Hips level and drawn 
back slightly ; body erect and resting equally on hips ; 
chest lifted and arched; shoulders square and falling 
equally. Arms and hands hanging naturally, thimib 
along the seam of the trousers. Head erect and 
squarely to the front, chin drawn in so that the axis 
of the head and neck is vertical; eyes straight to the 
front. Weight of the body resting equally upon the 
heels and balls of the feet. 

52. RESTS. Being at halt, at command FALL 
OUT, men may leave ranks but must remain in im^me- 
diate vicinity; they resume their former places, at at- 
tention, at command FALL IN. At command, REST, 
each man keeps one foot in place but need not preserve 
silence or immobility. At command AT EASE, each 
man keeps one foot in place and preserves silence but 
not im nobility. 

53. 1. Parade, 2. REST. Carry right foot 6 inches 
straight to the rear, left knee slightly bent; clasp 
the hands, without constraint, in front of center of 
body, fingers joined, left hand uppermost, left thumb 
clasped by thumb and forefinger of the right hand; 
preserve silence and steadiness of position. 



RECRUIT MANUAL 29 

54. To resume attention: 1. Squad, 2. ATTEN- 
TION. The men take the position of the soldier. 

55. 1. Eyes, 2. RIGHT (LEFT), 3. FRONT. At 
command right, turn head to right obHque, eyes fixed 
on the line of eyes of the men in, or supposed to be in, 
same rank. At command front, turn head and eyes 
to front. 

56. FACINGS. To the flank: L Right (left), 2. 
FACE. Raise sHghtly left heel and right toe; face to 
the right, turning on the right heel, assisted by a 
slight pressure on the ball of the left foot; place the 
left foot by the side of the right. Left face is executed 
similarly on the left heel. Right (left) half face is 
executed similarly, facing 45 degrees. " To face in 
marching " and advance, turn on ball of either foot and 
step off with the other foot in the new line of direction ; 
to face in marching without gaining ground in the new 
direction, turn on the ball of either foot and mark time. 

57. To the rear: 1. About, 2. FACE. Carry toe of 
right foot about a half foot-length to the rear and 
slightly to the left of left heel without changing posi- 
tion of left foot ; face to rear, turning to the right on left 
heel and right toe ; place right heel by side of left. 

59. STEPS and MARCHINGS. All steps and 
marchings, executed from halt, except right step, begin 
with left foot. 

60. Length of full step in quick time is 30 inches, 
measured from heel to heel, and the cadence is at rate 



30 RECRUIT MANUAL 

of 120 steps per minute. Length of full step in double 
time is 36 inches and cadence is 180. Instructor, when 
necessary, indicates cadence by calling, one, two, three, 
four, or left, right, the instant the left and right foot, 
respectively, should be planted. 

61. All steps and marchings and movements involv- 
ing march are executed in quick time unless squad be 
marching in double time or double time be added to the 
command; in the latter case double time is added to 
preparatory command. Example: 1. Squad right, 
double time, 2. MARCH. 

62. QUICK TIME. Being at a halt, to march for- 
ward in quick time : 1. Forward, 2. MARCH. At com- 
mand forward, shift weight of body to right leg, left 
knee straight. At command MARCH, move left foot 
smartly straight forward 30 inches from the right, sole 
near the ground, and plarit it without shock; next, in 
like manner, advance right foot and plant it as above ; 
continue the march. The arms swing naturally. 

63. Being at halt, or in march in quick time, to 
march in double time: 1. Double time, 2. MARCH. 
If at halt, at first command shift weight of body to 
right leg. At comniand MARCH, raise the forearms, 
fingers closed, to a horizontal position along the waist 
line; take up an easy run with step and cadence of 
double time, allowing natural swinging motion to arms. 
If marching in quick time, at command march, given as 



RECRUIT MANUAL 31 

either foot strikes the ground, take one step in quick 
time, and then step off in double time. 

64. To resume quick time: 1. Quick time, 2. MARCH. 
At command march, given as either foot strikes the 
ground, advance and plant the other foot in double 
time ; resume quick time, dropping hands by the sides. 

65. To mark time. Being in march: 1. Mark time, 
2. MARCH. At command march, given as either foot 
strikes the ground, advance and plant other foot ; bring 
up the foot in rear and continue the cadence by alter- 
nately raising each foot about 2 inches and planting 
it on the line with the other. Being at halt, at com- 
mand march, raise and plant the feet as described 
above. 

66. 1. Half step, 2. MARCH. Take steps of 15 inches 
in quick time, 18 inches in double time. 

67. Forward, half step, halt, and mark time may be 
executed one from the other in quick or double time. 
To resume the full step from half step or mark time : 
1. Forward, 2. MARCH. 

68. Side step. Being at halt or mark time: 1. Right 
(left) step, 2. MARCH. Carry and plant right foot 15 
inches to right; bring left foot beside it and continue 
movement in the cadence of quick time. The side step 
is used for short distances only and is not executed in 
double time. If at order arms, the side step is executed 
at trail without command. 

69. Back step. Being at halt or mark time: 1. Back- 



32 RECRUIT MANUAL 

ward, 2. MARCH. Take steps of 15 inches straight to 
the rear. Back step is used for short distances only and 
is not executed in double time. If at order arms, back 
step is executed at trail without command. 

70. TO HALT. To arrest the march in quick or 
double time: 1. Squad, 2. HALT. At command halt, 
given as either foot strikes the ground, plant the other 
foot as in marching; raise and place the first foot by the 
side of the other. If in double time, drop the hands 
by the sides. 

71. TO MARCH BY THE FLANK. Being in march : 
1. By the right (left) flank, 2. MARCH. At command 
march, given as the right foot strikes the ground, ad- 
vance and plant the left foot, then face to the right in 
marching and step off in the new direction v^ith the 
right foot. 

72. TO MARCH TO THE REAR. Being in 
march: 1. To the rear, 2. MARCH. At command 
march, given as right foot strikes the ground, advance 
and plant left foot; turn to right about on balls of 
both feet and immediately step off with left foot. If 
marching in double time, turn to right about, taking 
4 steps in place, keeping the cadence, and then step off 
with left foot. 

7Z. CHANGE STEP. Being in march: 1. Change 
step, 2. MARCH. At command march, given as right 
foot strikes ground, advance and plant left foot ; plant 
toe of right foot near heel of the left and step off with 



RECRUIT MANUAL 33 

left foot. The change on the right foot is similarly ex- 
ecuted, the command march being given as left foot 
strikes the ground. 

MANUAL OF ARMS 

74. As soon as practicable, recruit is taught use, no- 
menclature, and care of his rifle; when fair progress 
has been made in instruction without arms, he is taught 
manual of arm,s; instruction without arms and that 
with arms alternate. 

75. Following rules govern carrying the piece: 
First. Piece is not carried with cartridges in either the 
chamber or magazine except when specially ordered. 
When so loaded, or supposed to be loaded, it is habitu- 
ally carried locked; that is, with safety lock turned 
to '* safe." At all other times it is carried unlocked, 
with trigger pulled. Second. Whenever troops are 
formed under arms, pieces are immediately inspected 
at commands: L Inspection, 2. ARMS; 3. Order 
(right shoulder, port), 4. ARMS. A similar inspection 
is made immediately before dismissal. If cartridges 
are found in chamber or magazine they are removed 
and placed in belt. Third. The cut-off is kept turned 
" off '' except when cartridges are actually used. 
Fourth. Bayonet is not fixed except in bayonet exer- 
cise, on guard, or for combat. Fifth. Fall in is executed 
with piece at order arms. Fall out, rest, and at ease 
are executed as without arms. On resuming atten- 

3 



34 RECRUIT MANUAL 

tion the position of order arm,s is taken. Sixth. If at 
order arms, unless otherwise prescribed, the piece is 
brought to the right shoulder at command march, 
the three motions corresponding with the first 3 steps. 
Movements may be executed at the trail by prefacing 
the preparatory command with the words at trail; as 
1. At trail, forward, 2. MARCH; the trail is taken at 
command march. When facings, alignments, open and 
close ranks, taking interval or distance, and assem- 
blings are executed from the order, raise the piece to the 
trail while in motion and resume the order on halting. 
Seventh. The piece is brought to order on halting. 
Execution of the order begins when the halt is com- 
pleted. Eighth. A disengaged hand in double time is 
held as when without arms. 

76. Following rules govern the execution of manual 
of arms: First. In all positions of left hand at the 
balance (center of gravity, bayonet unfixed) the thumb 
clasps the piece, the sling is included in the grasp 
of the hand. Second. In all positions of the piece 
" diagonally across the body " the position of the piece, 
left arm and hand are the same as in port arms. Third. 
In resuming the order from any position in the manual, 
the motion next to the last concludes with the butt of 
the piece about 3 inches from the ground, barrel to the 
rear, the left hand above and near the right, steadying 
the piece, fingers extended and joined, forearm and 
wrist straight and inclining downward, all fingers of 



RECRUIT MANUAL 35 

the right hand grasping the piece. To complete the 
order, lower the piece gently to the ground with the 
right hand, drop the left quickly by the side, and take 
the position of order arms. Allowing the piece to drop 
through the right hand to the ground, or other similar 
abuse of the rifle to produce effect in executing the 
manual, is prohibited. Fourth. The cadence of the 
motions is that of quick time; recruits are first re- 
quired to give their whole attention to the details of 
the motions, the cadence being gradually acquired as 
they become accustomed to handling their pieces. The 
instructor may require them to count aloud in cadence 
with the motions. Fifth. The manual is taught at a 
halt and the movements are, for the purpose of in- 
struction, divided into motions and executed in detail ; 
in this case the command of execution determines the 
prompt execution of the first motion, and the com- 
mands, two, three, four, that of the other motions. To 
execute the movements in detail, the instructor first 
cautions: By the numbers; all movements divided into 
motions are then executed as above explained until he 
cautions: Without the numbers; or commands move- 
ments other than those in the manual of arms. Sixth. 
Whenever circumstances require, the regular positions 
of the manual of arms and the firings may be ordered 
without regard to the previous position of the piece. 
Under exceptional conditions of weather or fatigue the 
rifle may be carried in any manner directed. 



36 RECRUIT MANUAL 

77 . Position of order arms standing : The butt rests 
evenly on the ground, barrel to the rear, toe of the 
butt on a line with the toe of, and touching, right 
shoe, arms and hands hanging naturally, right hand 
holding piece between thumb and fingers. 

78. Being at order arms: 1. Present, 2. ARMS. 
With right hand carry piece in front of center of body, 
barrel to the rear and vertical, grasp it with left hand 
at balance, forearm horizontal and resting against the 
body: (TWO) Grasp small of stock with right hand. 

79. Being at order arms: 1. Port, 2. ARMS. With 
right hand raise and throw piece diagonally across 
the body, grasp it smartly with both hands ; the right, 
palm down, at the small of the stock ; the left, palm up, 
at the balance ; barrel up, sloping to the left and cross- 
ing opposite junction of the neck with the left shoulder ; 
right forearm horizontal; left forearm resting against 
the body; the piece in a vertical plane parallel to the 
front. 

80. Being at present arms: 1. Port, 2. ARMS. 
Carry piece diagonally across body and take the posi- 
tion of port arms. 

81. Being at port arms: 1. Present, 2. ARMS. 
Carry piece to a vertical position in front of center of 
body and take position of present arms. 

82. Being at present or port arms: 1. Order, 2. 
ARMS. Let go with right hand ; lower and carry piece 
to the right with left hand ; regrasp it with right hand 



RECRUIT MANUAL 37 

just above lower band; let go with left hand, and take 
the next to the last position in coming to the order. 
(TWO) Complete the order. 

83. Being at order armis: 1. Right shoulder, 2. 
ARMS. With right hand raise and throw piece diag- 
onally across body; carry right hand quickly to the 
butt, embracing it, the heel between the jfirst two fin- 
gers. (TWO) Without changing the grasp of right 
hand, place the piece on the right shoulder, barrel up 
and inclined at an angle of about 45 degrees from the 
horizontal, trigger guard in the hollow of the shoulder, 
right elbow near the side, the piece in a vertical plane 
perpendicular to the front ; carry the left hand, thumb 
and fingers extended and joined, to the small of the 
stock, tip of the forefinger touching the cocking piece, 
wrist straight and elbow down. (THREE) Drop left 
hand by the side. 

84. Being at right shoulder arms : 1. Order, 2. ARMS. 
Press the butt down quickly and throw piece diagon- 
ally across body, right hand retaining the grasp of the 
butt. (TWO), (THREE) Execute order arms as de- 
scribed from port arms. 

85. Being at port arms: 1. Right shoulder, 2. ARMS. 
Change right hand to the butt. (TWO), (THREE) As 
in right shoulder arms from order arms. 

86. Being at right shoulder arms : 1. Port, 2. ARMS. 
Press butt down quickly and throw piece diagonally 
across the body, right hand retaining its grasp of the 



38 RECRUIT MANUAL 

butt. (TWO) Change right hand to small of the 
stock. 

87. Being at right shoulder arms: 1. Present, 2. 
ARMS. Execute port arms. (THREE) Execute pre- 
sent arms. 

88. Being at present arms: 1. Right shoulder, 2. 
ARMS. Execute port arms. (TWO), (THREE), 
(FOUR) Execute right shoulder arms as from port 
arms. 

89. Being at port arms : 1. Left shoulder, 2. ARMS. 
Carry the piece with right hand and place it on the left 
shoulder, barrel up, trigger guard in hollow of the 
shoulder; at same time grasp butt with left hand, 
heel between first and second fingers, thumb and fingers 
closed on the stock. (TWO) Drop right hand by the 
side. 

Being at left shoulder arms: 1. Port, 2. ARMS. 
Grasp piece with right hand at small of stock. (TWO) 
Carry piece to right with right hand, regrasp it with 
left, and take position of port arms. Left shoulder 
arms may be ordered directly from the order, right shoul- 
der or present, or the reverse. At command arms 
execute port arms and continue in cadence to the posi- 
tion ordered. 

90. Being at order arms: 1. Parade, 2. REST. Carry 
right foot 6 inches straight to the rear, left knee slightly 
bent; carry muzzle in front of center of body, barrel 



RECRUIT MANUAL 39 

to the left; grasp piece with left hand just below stack- 
ing swivel, and with right hand below and against left. 
Being at parade rest: 1. Squad, 2. ATTENTION. 
Resume the order, the left hand quitting the piece op- 
posite the right hip. 

91. Being at order arms : 1. Trail, 2. ARMS. Raise 
piece, right arm slightly bent, and incline the muzzle 
forward so that the barrel makes an angle of about 30 
degrees with the vertical. When it can be done with- 
out danger or inconvenience to others, the piece may 
be grasped at the balance and the muzzle lowered until 
the piece is horizontal; a similar position in the left 
hand may be used. 

92. Being at trail arms: 1. Order, 2. ARMS. Lower 
piece with right hand and resume order. 

Rifle Salute 

93. Being at right shoulder arms: 1. Rifle, 2. SA- 
LUTE. Carry left hand smartly to small of stock, 
forearm horizontal, palm^ of hand down, thumb and 
fingers extended and joined, forefinger touching end of 
cocking piece ; look toward the person saluted. (TWO) 
Drop left hand by the side ; turn head and eyes to the 
front. 

94. Being at order or trail arms: 1. Rifle, 2. SA- 
LUTE. Carry left hand smartly to the right side, 
palm of the hand down, thumb and fingers extended 
and joined, forefinger against piece near the muzzle; 



40 RECRUIT MANUAL 

look toward the person saluted. (TWO) Drop left 
hand by the side ; turn the head and eyes to the front. 

The Bayonet 

95. Being at order arms: 1. Fix, 2. BAYONET. 
If the bayonet scabbard is carried on the belt: Exe- 
cute parade rest ; grasp bayonet with right hand, back 
of hand toward the body ; draw bayonet from scabbard 
and fix it on the barrel, glancing at muzzle; resume 
order. If bayonet is carried on haversack : Draw bayo- 
net with left hand and fix it in most convenient 
manner. 

96. Being at order arms: 1. Unfix, 2. BAYONET. 
If bayonet is carried on belt : Execute parade rest ; grasp 
handle of bayonet firmly with right hand, pressing the 
spring with forefinger of right hand; raise bayonet 
until handle is about 12 inches above muzzle of piece ; 
drop point to the left, back of hand toward the body, 
and, glancing at scabbard, return bayonet, blade pass- 
ing between left arm and the body; regrasp the piece 
with right hand and resume the order. If bayonet 
scabbard is carried on haversack: Take bayonet from 
rifle with left hand and return it to scabbard in most 
convenient and expeditious manner. If marching or 
lying down, bayonet is fixed and unfixed in most expe- 
ditious and convenient manner and the piece returned 
to the original position. Fix and unfix bayonet are 



RECRUIT MANUAL 41 

executed with promptness and regularity but not in 
cadence. 

97. CHARGE BAYONET. Whether executed at 
halt or in motion, the bayonet is held toward the op- 
ponent as in the position of guard in the Manual for 
Bayonet Exercise. 

The Inspection 

98. Being at order arms: 1. Inspection, 2. ARMS. 
At second command take position of port arms. (TWO) 
Seize the bolt handle with thumb and forefinger of 
right hand, turn handle up, draw bolt back, and glance 
at chamber. Having found chamber empty, or having 
emptied it, raise the head and eyes to the front. 

99. Being at inspection arms: 1. Order (Right 
shoulder, Port), 2. ARMS. At preparatory command 
push bolt forward, turn handle down, pull trigger, and 
resume port arms. At command arms complete move- 
ment ordered. 

To Dismiss the Squad 

100. Being at halt: 1. Inspection, 2. ARMS, 3. Port. 
4. ARMS, 5. DISMISSED. 

School of the Squad 

101. Soldiers are grouped into squads for instruc- 
tion, discipline, control and order. 

102. Squad proper consists of a corporal and 7 pri- 



42 RECRUIT MANUAL 

vates. The movements in the School of the Squad are 
designed to make the squad a fixed unit and to facili- 
tate control and movement of the company. If the 
number of men grouped is more than 3 and less than 
12, they are formed as a squad of 4 files, the excess 
above 8 being posted as file closers. If number grouped 
is greater than 11, 2 or more squads are formed and the 
group is termed a platoon. For the instruction of re- 
cruits these rules may be modified. 

103. The corporal is the squad leader, and when ab- 
sent is replaced by a designated private. If no private 
is designated, the senior in length of service acts as 
leader. The corporal, when in ranks, is posted as left 
man in front rank of the squad. When the corporal 
leaves the ranks to lead the squad, his rear rank man 
steps into the front rank, and the file remains blank 
until the corporal returns to his place in ranks, when 
his rear rank man steps back into the rear rank. 

104. In battle ofificers and sergeants endeavor to pre- 
serve the integrity of squads ; they designate new lead- 
ers to replace those disabled, organize new squads 
when necessary, and see that every man is placed in 
a squad. Men are taught the necessity of remaining 
with the squad to which they belong and, in case it be 
broken up or they become separated therefrom, to at- 
tach themselves to the nearest squad and platoon 
leaders, whether these be of their own or of another or- 
ganization. 



RECRUIT MANUAL 43 

105. The squad executes the halt, rests, facings, 
steps, and marchings, and the manual of arms as ex- 
plained in the School of the Soldier. 

To Form the Squad 

106. To form the squad the instructor places him- 
self 3 paces in front of where the center is to be and 
commands : FALL IN. The men assemble at attention, 
pieces at the order, and are arranged by the corporal 
in double rank, as nearly as practicable in order of 
height from right to left, each man dropping his left 
hand as soon as the man on his left has his interval. 
The rear rank forms with distance of 40 inches. The 
instructor then commands: COUNT OFF. At this 
command all except the right file execute eyes right, 
and, beginning on the right, the men in each rank count 
one, two, three, four ; each man turns his head and eyes 
to the front as he counts. Pieces are then inspected. 

Alignments 

107. To align the squad, the base file or files having 
been estabHshed: 1. Right (Left), 2. DRESS, 3. 
FRONT. At the command dress all the men place the 
left hand upon the hip (whether dressing to the right 
or left) ; each man, except the base file, when on or near 
the new line executes eyes right and taking steps of 2 
or 3 inches, places himself so that his right arm rests 
lightly against the arm of the man on his right, and so 



44 RECRUIT MANUAL 

that his eyes and shoulders are in line with those of 
the men on his right ; the rear-rank men cover in file. 
The instructor verifies the alignment of both ranks from 
the right flank and orders up or back such men as may- 
be in rear, or in advance, of the line ; only the men desig- 
nated move. At the command front, given when the 
ranks are aligned, each man turns his head and eyes 
to the front and drops his left hand by his side. In the 
first drills the basis of the alignment is established on, 
or parallel to, the front of the squad; afterwards in 
oblique directions. Whenever the position of the base 
file or files necessitates a considerable movement by the 
squad, such movement will be executed by marching 
to the front or oblique, to the flank or backward, as the 
case may be, without other command, and at the trail. 
108. To preserve the alignment when marching: 
GUIDE RIGHT (LEFT). The men preserve their 
intervals from the side of the guide, yielding to pres- 
sure from that side and resisting pressure from the 
opposite direction; they recover intervals, if lost, by 
gradually opening out or closing in ; they recover aHgn- 
ment by slightly lengthening or shortening the step; 
the rear-rank men cover their file leaders at 40 inches. 
In double rank, the front-rank man on the right, or 
designated flank, conducts the march; when march- 
ing faced to the flank, the leading man of the front 
rank is the guide. 



RECRUIT MANUAL 45 

To Take Intervals and Distances 

109. Being in line at halt: 1. Take interval, 2. To 
the right (left), 3. MARCH, 4. Squad, 5. HALT. At 
second command rear-rank men march backward 4 
steps and halt; at command march all face to right 
and the leading man of each rank steps ofif ; the other 
men step off in succession, each following the preced- 
ing man at 4 paces, rear-rank men marching abreast 
of their file leaders. At command halt, given when all 
have their intervals, all halt and face to the front. 

110. Being at intervals, to assemble the squad: 1. 
Assemble, to the right (left), 2. MARCH. The front- 
rank man on the right stands fast, the rear-rank man 
on the right closes to 40 inches. The other men face 
to the right, close by the shortest line, and face to the 
front. 

111. Being in line at halt and having counted off: 
1. Take distance, 2. MARCH, 3. Squad, 4. HALT. At 
command march, No. 1 of front rank moves straight to 
the front; Nos. 2, 3 and 4 of front rank and Nos. 1, 2, 
3, and 4 of rear rank, in order named, move straight to 
the front, each stepping off so as to follow the preced- 
ing man at 4 paces. Com,mand halt is given when all 
have their distances. In case more than 1 squad is in 
line, each squad executes the movement as above. The 
guide of each rank of numbers is right. 

112. Being at distances, to assemble the squad: 1. 



46 RECRUIT MANUAL 

Assemble, 2. MARCH. No. 1 of front rank stands fast ; 
the other numbers move forward to their proper places 
in line. 

To Stack and Take Arms 

113. Being in line at halt: STACK ARMS. Each 
even number of front rank grasps his piece with left 
hand at upper band and rests butt between his feet, 
barrel to front, muzzle inclined slightly to the front 
and opposite center of the interval on his right, the 
thumb and forefinger raising the stacking swivel ; each 
even number of the rear rank then passes his piece, 
barrel to the rear, to his file leader, who grasps it be- 
tween the bands with his right hand and throws the 
butt about 2 feet in advance of that of his own piece 
and opposite the right of the interval, the right hand 
slipping to the upper band, the thumb and forefinger 
raising the stacking swivel, which he engages with that 
of his own piece; each odd number of the front rank 
raises his piece with the right hand, carries it well for- 
ward, barrel to the front; the left hand, guiding the 
stacking swivel, engages the lower hook of the swivel 
of his own piece with the free hook of that of the even 
number of the rear rank ; he then turns the barrel out- 
ward into the angle formed by the other two pieces 
and lowers the butt to the ground, to the right of and 
against the toe of his right shoe. The stacks made, the 
loose pieces are laid on them by the even numbers of 



RECRUIT MANUAL 47 

the front rank. When each man has finished handling 
pieces, he takes position of the soldier. 

114. Being in line behind stacks: TAKE ARMS. 
The loose pieces are returned by the even numbers of 
the front rank; each even number of the front rank 
grasps his own piece with the left hand, the piece of 
his rear-rank man with his right hand, grasping both 
between the bands ; each odd number of the front rank 
grasps his piece in the same way with the right hand, 
disengages it by raising the butt from the ground and 
then, turning the piece to the right, detaches it from 
the stack; each even number of the front rank dis- 
engages and detaches his piece by turning it to the 
left, and then passes the piece of his rear-rank man 
to him, and all resume the order. 

115. Should any squad have Nos. 2 and 3 blank files. 
No. 1 rear rank takes the place of No. 2 rear rank in 
making and breaking the stack; the stacks made or 
broken, he resumes his post. Pieces not used in mak- 
ing the stack are termed loose pieces. Pieces are never 
stacked with bayonet fixed. 

The Oblique March 

116. For instruction of recruits, the squad being in 
column or correctly aligned, the instructor causes the 
squad to face half right or half left, points out to the 
men their relative positions, and explains that these 
are to be maintained in the oblique march. 



48 RECRUIT MANUAL 

117. 1. Right (left) oblique, 2. MARCH. Each man 
steps off in a direction 45 degrees to the right of his 
original front. He preserves his relative position, keep- 
ing his shoulders parallel to those of the guide (the 
man on the right front of the line or column), and so 
regulates his step that the ranks remain parallel to 
their original front. At command halt the men halt 
faced to the front. To resume the original direction : 
1. Forward, 2. MARCH. The men half face to the left 
in marching and then move straight to the front. If at 
half step or mark time while marching, the oblique 
march is resumed by commands: 1. Oblique, 2. 
MARCH. 

To Turn on Moving Pivot 

118. Being in hne: 1. Right (left) turn, 2. MARCH. 
The movement is executed by each rank successively 
and on the same ground. At second command, the 
pivot man of front rank faces to right in marching and 
takes the half step ; the other men of the rank oblique 
to the right until opposite their places in Hne, then exe- 
cute a second right oblique and take the half step on 
arriving abreast of the pivot man. All glance toward 
the marching flank while at half step and take full 
step without command as the last man arrives on the 
line. 

Right (left) half turn is executed in a similar man- 
ner. The pivot man makes a half change of direction 



RECRUIT MANUAL 49 

to the right and the other men make quarter changes 
in obliquing. 

To Turn on Fixed Pivot 

119. Being in line, to turn and march: 1. Squad 
right (left), 2. MARCH. At second command, right 
flank man in front rank faces to the right in marching 
and marks time ; the other front-rank men oblique 
to the right, place themselves abreast of the pivot and 
mark time. In the rear rank the third man from the 
right, followed in column by the second and first, 
moves straight to the front until in rear of his front- 
rank man, when all face to the right in miarching and 
mark time; the other number of the rear rank moves 
straight to the front 4 paces and places himself abreast 
of the man on his right. Men on the new line glance 
toward the marching flank while marking time and, 
as the last man arrives on the line, both ranks execute 
forward, MARCH, without command. 

120. Being in line, to turn and halt: 1. Squad right 
(left), 2. MARCH, 3. Squad, 4. HALT. The third 
command is given immediately after the second. The 
turn is executed as prescribed in the preceding para- 
graph except that all men, on arriving on the new line, 
mark time until the fourth command is given, when 
all halt. The fourth command should be given as last 
man arrives on line. 

121. Being in line, to turn about and march: 1. 
4 



50 RECRUIT MANUAL 

Squad right (left) about, 2. MARCH. At second com- 
mand, front rank twice executes squad right, initiating 
the second squad right when the man on the marching 
flank has arrived abreast of the rank. In the rear rank 
the third man from the right, followed by the second 
and first in column, m.oves straight to the front 
until on the prolongation of the line to be occupied by 
the rear rank ; changes direction to the right ; moves in 
the new direction until in rear of his front-rank man, 
when all face to the right in marching, mark time, and 
glance toward the marching flank. The fourth man 
marches on the left of the third to his new position ; 
as he arrives on the line, both ranks execute forward, 
march, without command. 

122. Being in Hne, to turn about and halt: 1. Squad 
right (left) about, 2„ MARCH, 3. Squad, 4. HALT. 
The third command is given immediately after the 
second. The turn is executed as prescribed in preced- 
ing paragraph except that all men, on arriving on the 
new line, mark time until the fourth command is given, 
when all halt. The fourth command should be given 
as last man arrives on the line. 

To Follow the Corporal 

123. Being assembled or deployed, to march the 
squad without unnecessary commands, the corporal 
places himself in front of it and commands : FOLLOW 
ME. If in line or skirmish Hne, No. 2 of the front rank 



RECRUIT MANUAL 51 

follows in the trace of the corporal at about three 
paces; the other men conform to movements of No. 
2, guiding on him and maintaining their relative posi- 
tions. If in column, the head of the column follows 
the corporal. 

To Deploy as Skirmishers 

124. Being in any formation, assembled: 1. As skir- 
mishers, 2. MARCH. The corporal places himself in 
front of the squad, if not already there. Moving at a 
run, the men place themselves abreast of the corporal 
at half-pace intervals, Nos. 1 and 2 on his right, Nos. 
3 and 4 on his left, rear-rank men on the right of their 
file leaders, extra men on the left of No. 4; all then con- 
form to the corporal's gait. When the squad is acting 
alone, skirmish line is similarly formed on No. 2 of the 
front rank, who stands fast or continues the march, as 
the case m^ay be; the corporal places himself in front 
of the squad when advancing and in rear when halted. 
When deployed as skirmishers, the men march at ease, 
pieces at the trail unless otherwise ordered. The cor- 
poral is the guide when in the line; otherwise No. 2 
front rank is the guide. 

125. The normal interval between skirmishers is one- 
half pace, resulting practically in one man per yard of 
front. The front of a squad thus deployed as skirmish- 
ers is about 10 paces. 



52 RECRUIT MANUAL 

To Increase or Diminish Intervals 

126. If assembled, and it is desired to deploy at 
greater than the normal interval; or if deployed, and 
it is desired to increase or decrease the interval: 1. As 
skirmishers (so many) paces, 2. MARCH. Intervals 
are taken at the indicated number of paces. If already 
deployed, the men move by the flank toward or away 
from the guide. 

The Assembly 

127. Being deployed: 1. Assemble, 2. MARCH. 

The men move toward the corporal and form in their 
proper places. If the corporal continues to advance, 
the men move in double time, form, and follow him. 
The assembly while marching to the rear is not 
executed. 

Kneeling and Lying Down 

128. If standing: KNEEL. Half face to the right; 
carry the right toe about one foot to the left rear of the 
left heel ; kneel on right knee, sitting as nearly as pos- 
sible on the right heel; left forearm across left thigh; 
piece remains in position of order arms, right hand 
grasping it above the lower band. 

129. If standing or kneeling: LIE DOWN. Kneel, 
but with right knee against left heel; carry back the 
left foot and lie flat on the belly, inclining body about 



RECRUIT MANUAL 53 

35 degrees to the right; piece horizontal, barrel up, 
muzzle on the ground and pointed to the front ; elbows 
on the ground; left hand at the balance, right hand 
grasping the small of the stock opposite the neck. This 
is the position of order arms, lying down. 

130. If kneeling or lying down : RISE. If kneeling, 
stand up, faced to the front, on the ground marked by 
the left heel. If lying down, raise body on both knees, 
stand up, faced to the front, on ground marked by 
knees. 

131. If lying down: KNEEL. Raise body on both 
knees ; take position of kneel. 

132. In double rank, the positions of kneeling and 
lying down are ordinarily used only for the better 
utilization of cover. When deployed as skirmishers, 
a sitting position may be taken in lieu of position 
kneeling. 

Loadings and Firings 

133. Commands for loading and firing are the same 
whether standing, kneeling or lying down. Firings 
are always executed at halt. When kneeling or lying 
down in double rank, the rear rank does not load, aim 
or fire. Instruction in firing will be preceded by a 
command for loading. Loadings are executed in line 
and skirmish line only. 

134. Pieces having been ordered loaded are kept 
loaded without command until command unload or 



54 RECRUIT MANUAL 

inspection arms, fresh clips being inserted when the 
magazine is exhausted. 

135. The aiming point or target is carefully pointed 
out. This may be done before or after announcing the 
sight-setting. Both are indicated before giving the 
command for firing, but may be omitted when the tar- 
get appears suddenly and is unmistakable; in such 
case, battle sight is used if no sight-setting is an- 
nounced. 

136. The target or aiming point having been desig- 
nated and the sight-setting announced, such designa- 
tions or announcements need not be repeated until a 
change of either or both is necessary. 

Troops are trained to continue their fire upon the 
aiming point or target designated, and at the sight- 
setting announced, until a change is ordered. 

137. If the men are not already in the position of 
load, that position is taken at the announcement of the 
sight-setting ; if the announcement is omitted, the posi- 
tion is taken at the first command for firing. 

138. When deployed, the use of the sHng as an aid 
to accurate firing is discretionary with each man. 

To Load 

139. Being in line of skirmish line at halt: 1. With 
dummy (blank or ball) cartridges, 2. LOAD. At com- 
mand load each front-rank man or skirmisher faces 



RECRUIT MANUAL 55 

half right and carries the right foot to the right, about 
one foot, to such position as will insure the greatest 
firmness and steadiness of the body; raises, or low- 
ers, the piece and drops it into the left hand at the bal- 
ance, left thumb extended along stock, muzzle at 
height of breast, and turns the cut-off up. With the 
right hand he turns and draws the bolt back, takes the 
loaded clip and inserts the end in the clip slot, 
places the thumb on the powder space of the top car- 
tridge, the fingers extending around the piece and tips 
resting on the magazine floor plate; forces the car- 
tridges into the magazine by pressing down with the 
thumb; without removing the clip, thrusts the bolt 
home, turning down the handle ; turns the safety lock 
to the " safe " and carries the hand to the small of the 
stock. Each rear-rank man moves to the right front, 
takes a similar position opposite the interval to the 
right of his front-rank man, muzzle of the piece ex- 
tending beyond the front rank, and loads. A skirmish 
line may load while moving, the pieces being held as 
nearly as practicable in the position of load. If kneel- 
ing or sitting, the position of the piece is similar; if 
kneeling, the left forearm rests on the left thigh; if 
sitting, the elbows are supported by the knees. If ly- 
ing down, the left hand steadies and supports the piece 
at the balance, the toe of the butt resting on the'ground, 
the muzzle off the ground. For reference, these posi- 



56 RECRUIT MANUAL 

tions (standing, kneeling, and lying down) are desig- 
nated as that of load. 

140. For instruction in loading: 1. Simulate, 2. 
LOAD. Executed as above described except that the 
cut-off remains " off," and the handling of cartridges 
is simulated. The recruits are first taught to simu- 
late loading and firing ; after a few lessons dummy car- 
tridges may be used. Later, blank cartridges may be 
used. 

141. The rifle may be used as a single loader by turn- 
ing the magazine " off." The magazine may be filled 
in whole or in part while ** off " or " on " by pressing 
cartridges singly down and back until they are in the 
proper place. The use of the rifle as a single loader 
is, however, to be regarded as exceptional. 

To Unload 

142. UNLOAD. Take the position of load, turn 
the safety lock up and move both alternately back 
and forward until all the cartridges are ejected. After 
the last cartridge is ejected, the chamber is closed 
by first thrusting the bolt slightly forward to free it 
from the stud holding it in place when the chamber 
is open, pressing the follower down and back to engage 
it under the bolt and then thrusting the bolt home; 
the trigger is pulled. The cartridges are then picked 
up, cleaned, and returned to the belt and the piece is 
brought to the order. 



RECRUIT MANUAL 57 

To Set the Sight 

143. RANGE, ELEVEN HUNDRED (EIGHT- 
FIFTY), or BATTLE SIGHT. The sight is set at the 
elevation indicated. The instructor explains and veri- 
fies sight-setting. 

To Fire by Volley 

144. 1. Ready, 2. Aim, 3. Squad, 4. FIRE. At com- 
mand ready turn safety lock to the " ready " ; at com- 
mand aim raise the piece with both hands and support 
the butt firmly against the hollow of the right shoul- 
der, right thumb clasping the stock, barrel horizontal, 
left elbow well under the piece, right elbow as high 
as the shoulder ; incline the head slightly forward and a 
little to the right, cheek against the stock, left eye 
closed, right eye looking through the notch of the rear 
sight so as to perceive the object aimed at, second joint 
of forefinger resting lightly against front of trigger 
and taking up the slack; top of front sight is care- 
fully raised into, and held in, the line of sight. Each 
rear-rank man aims through the interval to the right 
of his file leader and leans slightly forward to advance 
the muzzle of his piece beyond the front rank. In aim- 
ing kneeling, th : left elbow rests on the left knee, 
point of elbow in front of knee-cap. In aiming sitting, 
the elbows are supported by the knees. In aiming 
lying down, raise the piece with both hands; rest on 
both elbows and press the butt firmly against the right 



58 RECRUIT MANUAL 

shoulder. At the command fire press the finger against 
the trigger ; fire without deranging the aim and without 
lowering or turning the piece; lower the piece in the 
position of load and load. 

145. To continue the firing: 1. AIM, 2. Squad, 3. 
FIRE. Each command is executed as previously ex- 
plained. Load (from magazine) is executed by draw- 
ing back and thrusting home the bolt with the right 
hand, leaving the safety lock at the " ready." 

To Fire at Will 

146. FIRE AT WILL. Each man, independently of 
the others, comes to the ready, aims carefully and delib- 
erately at the aiming point or target, fires, loads, and 
continues the firing until ordered to suspend or cease 
firing. 

147. To increase (decrease) the rate of fire in prog- 
ress the instructor shouts: FASTER (SLOWER). 
Men are trained to fire at the rate of about three shots 
per minute at effective ranges and five or six at close 
range, devoting the minimum of time to loading and 
the maximum, to deliberate aiming. To illustrate the 
necessity for deliberation, and to habituate men to 
combat conditions, small and comparatively indistinct 
targets are designated. 

To Fire by Clip 

148. CLIP FIRE. Executed in same manner as 
fire at will, except that each man, after having ex- 



RECRUIT MANUAL 59 

hausted the cartridges then in the piece, suspends 
firing. 

To Suspend Firing 

149. The instructor blows a long blast of the whistle 
and repeats same, if necessary, or commands: SUS- 
PEND FIRING. Firing stops; pieces are held, loaded 
and locked, in a position of readiness for instant re- 
sumption of firing, rear sights unchanged. The men 
continue to observe the target or aiming point, or the 
place at which the target disappeared, or at which it 
is expected to reappear. This whistle signal may be 
used as a preliminary to cease firing. 

To Cease Firing 

150. CEASE FIRING. Firing stops; pieces not 
already there are brought to the position of load ; those 
not loaded are loaded ; sights are laid, pieces are locked 
and brought to the order. Cease firing is used for long 
pauses, to prepare for changes of position, or to steady 
the men. 

151. Commands for suspending or ceasing fire may 
be given at any time after the preparatory command 
for firing whether firing has actually commenced or 
not. 

628. Under " Marches," note : " The drinking of 
water on the march should be avoided. The thirst 
should be thoroughly quenched before starting on the 



60 RECRUIT MANUAL 

march and after arrival in camp. On the march the use 
of water should, in general, be confined to gargling the 
mouth and throat or to an occasional small drink at 
most." 

Inspections 

745. Being in line at halt : 1. Open ranks, 2. MARCH. 
At command (march the front rank executes right 
dress; the rear rank and the file closers march back- 
ward four steps, halt, and execute right dress; the 
lieutenants pass around their respective flanks and 
take post, facing to the front, three paces in front of 
center of their respective platoons. Captain aligns 
front rank, rear rank, and file closers, takes post three 
paces in front of right guide, facing to the left, and 
commands: 1. FRONT, 2. PREPARE FOR INSPEC- 
TION. At second command lieutenants carry saber; 
captain returns saber and inspects them, after which 
they face about, order saber, and stand at ease; upon 
completion of inspection they carry saber, face about, 
and order saber. Captain may direct lieutenants to 
accompany or assist him, in which case they return 
saber and, at close of inspection, resume their posts 
in front of company, draw and carry saber. Having 
inspected lieutenants, captain proceeds to right of com- 
pany. Each man, as captain approaches him, executes 
inspection annis. Captain takes the piece, grasping 
it with his right hand just above rear sight, the man drop- 



RECRUIT MANUAL 61 

ping his hands. The captain inspects the piece, and, 
with the hand and piece in same position as in receiv- 
ing it, hands it back to the man, who takes it with left 
hand at balance and executes order arms. As captain 
returns piece the next man executes inspection arms, 
and so on through the company. Should piece be in- 
spected without handHng, each man executes order 
arms as soon as captain passes to the next man. The in- 
spection is from right to left in front, and from left to 
right in rear, of each rank and of the line of file clos- 
ers. When approached by captain, the first sergeant 
executes inspection saber. Enlisted men armed with 
pistol execute inspection pistol by drawing pistol from 
holster and holding it diagonally across the body, 
barrel up, and 6 inches in front of the neck, muzzle 
pointing up and to the left. Pistol is returned to holster 
as soon as captain passes. Upon completion of inspec- 
tion captain takes post facing to the left in front of the 
right guide and on line with lieutenants and com- 
mands: 1. Close ranks, 2. MARCH. At command 
march lieutenants resume their posts in line ; rear rank 
closes to 40 inches, each man covering his file leader ; 
file closers close to 2 paces from rear rank. 

746. If company is dismissed, rifles are put away. In 
quarters, headdress and accoutrements are removed 
and the men stand near their respective bunks ; in camp 
they stand covered, but without accoutrements, in 
front of their tents. If the personnel field equipment 



62 RECRUIT MANUAL 

has not been inspected in ranks and its inspection in 
quarters or camp is ordered, each man will arrange the 
prescribed articles on his bunk, if in quarters or per- 
manent camp, or in front of his half of the tent, in shel- 
ter tent camp, in the same relative order as directed in 
paragraph 747. Captain accompanied by lieutenants 
then inspects quarters or camp. The first sergeant pre- 
cedes captain and calls the men to attention on entering 
each squad room or on approaching the tents ; the men 
stand at attention but do not salute. 

FOR TROOPS EQUIPPED WITH INFANTRY 
EQUIPMENT, MODEL 1910: 

747. If inspection is to include an examination of the 
equipment while in ranks, captain, after closing ranks, 
causes company to stack arms, to march backward un- 
til 4 paces in rear of the stacks and to take intervals. 
He then commands: 1. UNSLING EQUIPMENT, 2. 
OPEN PACKS. At first com,mand, each man unslings 
his equipment and places it on the ground at his feet, 
haversack to the front end of the pack 1 foot in front 
of toes. At second command, pack carriers are un- 
strapped, packs removed and unrolled, the longer edge 
of the pack along the lower edge of the cartridge 
belt. Each man exposes shelter tent pins, removes 
meat can, knife, fork and spoon from meat-can 
pouch, and places them on the right of haver- 



RECRUIT MANUAL 63 

sack, knife, fork and spoon in the open meat can; re- 
moves canteen and cup from cover and places them 
on the left side of haversack ; unstraps and spreads out 
haversack so as to expose its contents ; folds up carrier to 
uncover cartridge pockets; opens same; unrolls toilet 
articles and places them on the outer flap of haver- 
sack; places underwear carried in pack on the left half 
of the open pack, with round fold parallel with front 
edge of pack; opens first aid pouch and exposes contents 
to view. Special articles carried by individual men, such 
as flag kit, field-glasses, compass, steel tape, notebook, 
etc., will be arranged on the right half of the open pack. 
Each man then resumes the attention. The captain 
then passes along ranks and file closers as before, in- 
spects the equipment, returns to the right, and com- 
mands: CLOSE PACKS. Each man rolls up his 
toilet articles and underwear, straps up his haversack 
and its contents, replaces the meat can, knife, fork and 
spoon, and the canteen and cup ; closes cartridge pock- 
ets and first aid pouch ; restores special articles to their 
proper receptacles; rolls up and replaces pack in car- 
rier; and, leaving the equipment in its position on the 
ground, resumes the attention. All equipments being 
packed, captain commands: SLING EQUIPMENT. 
Equipments are slimg and belts fastened. Captain 
then causes company to assemble and take arms. The 
inspection is completed as already explained. 



64 RECRUIT MANUAL 

FOR TROOPS WITH SHELTER HALF ROLLS 

INSTEAD OF INFANTRY EQUIPMENT, 

MODEL 1910, substitute the following: 

747. If inspection is to include an examination of 
blanket rolls captain, before dismissing company and 
after inspecting the file closers, directs lieutenants to 
remain in place, closes ranks, stacks arms, dresses com- 
pany, back to 4 paces from the stacks, takes intervals, 
and commands: 1. Unsling, 2. PACKS, 3. Open, 4. 
PACKS. At second command each man unslings his 
roll and places it on ground at his feet, rounded end to 
front, square end of shelter half to his right. At fourth 
command the rolls are untied, laid perpendicular to 
the front with the triangular end of the shelter half to 
the front, opened, and unrolled to the left; each man 
prepares the contents of his roll for inspection and re- 
sumes the attention. Captain then returns saber, 
passes along the ranks and file closers as before, in- 
spects the rolls, returns to the right, draws saber and 
commands: 1. Close, 2. PACKS. At second command 
each man, with his shelter half smoothly spread on the 
ground with buttons up and triangular end to the 
front, folds his blanket once across its length and places 
it upon the shelter half, fold toward the bottom, edge 
one-half inch from square end, the same amount of 
canvas uncovered at the top and bottom. He then 



RECRUIT MANUAL 65 

places the parts of the pole on the side of the blanket 
next the square end of shelter half, near and parallel 
to the fold, end of pole about 6 inches from edge of 
blanket and distributes the other articles carried in the 
roll ; folds triangular end and then the exposed portion 
of the bottom of the shelter half over the blanket. The 
2 men in each file roll and fasten first the roll of the 
front and then of the rear- rank man. File closers work 
similarly 2 and 2, or with the front-rank men of a 
blank file. Each pair stands on the folded side, rolls 
the blanket roll closely and buckles the straps, pass- 
ing the end of the strap through both keeper and 
buckle, back over the buckle and under the keeper. 
With the roll so lying on the ground that the edge of 
the shelter half can just be seen when looking vertic- 
ally downward one end is bent upward and over to 
meet the other, a clove hitch is taken with the guy 
rope first around the end to which it is attached and 
then around the other end, adjusting the length of rope 
between hitches to suit the wearer. As soon as a file 
completes its rolls each man places his roll in the 
position it was in after being unslung and stands at 
attention. All the rolls being completed, captain com- 
mands: 1. Sling, 2. PACKS. At second command rolls 
are slung, the end containing the pole to the rear. The 
company is assembled, takes arms, and captain com- 
pletes inspection as before. 
5 



66 RECRUIT MANUAL 

Shelter Tent Pitching 

792. Being in line or in column of platoons, captain: 
commands : FORM FOR SHELTER TENTS. Offi- 
cers, first sergeant, and guides fall out; cooks form a 
file on flank of company nearest the kitchen, the first 
sergeant and right guide fall in, forming the right file 
of company; blank files are filled by file closers or by 
men taken from front rank ; remaining guide, or guides 
and file closers form on a convenient flank. Before 
forming column of platoons, preparatory to pitching 
tents, company may be redivided into 2 or more pla- 
toons, regardless of size of each. 

793. Captain then causes company to take intervals 
as described in School of the Squad and commands: 
PITCH TENTS. At command pitch tents, each man 
steps oflf obliquely to right with right foot and lays 
his rifle on the ground, the butt of rifle near the toe of 
right foot, muzzle to the front, barrel to the left, and 
steps back into his place; each front-rank man then 
draws his bayonet and sticks it in the ground by the 
outside of the right heel. Equipments are unslung, 
packs opened, shelter half and pins removed ; each man 
then spreads his shelter half, small triangle to the 
rear, flat upon the ground the tent is to occupy, the 
rear-rank man's half on the right. The halves are then 
buttoned together; the guy loops at both ends of the 
lower half are passed through buttonholes provided in 



RECRUIT MANUAL 67 

lower and upper halves; the whipped end of the guy- 
rope is then passed through both guy loops and secured, 
this at both ends of the tent. Each front-rank man in- 
serts the muzzle of his rifle under the front end of the 
ridge and holds the rifle upright, sling to the front, 
heel of butt on the ground beside the bayonet. His 
rear-rank man pins down the front corners of the tent 
on the line of bayonets, stretching the tent taut; he 
then inserts a pin in the eye of the front guy rope and 
drives the pin at such a distance in front of the rifle as 
to hold the rope taut; both men go to the rear of the 
tent, each pins down a corner, stretching the sides and 
rear of the tent before securing ; the rear-rank man then 
inserts an intrenching tool, or a bayonet in its scab- 
bard, under the rear end of the ridge inside the tent, 
the front-rank man pegging dow^n the end of the rear 
guy ropes ; the rest of the pins are then driven by both 
men, the rear-rank m^an vv^orking on the right. The 
front flaps of the tent are fastened down, but thrown 
back on the tent. As soon as the tent is pitched each 
man arranges his equipment and the contents of his 
pack in the tent and stands at attention in front of his 
own half on the line with the front guy-rope pin. To 
have a uniform slope when the tents are pitched, the guy 
ropes should all be of the same length. In shelter-tent 
camps, in localities where suitable material is procur- 
able, tent poles may be improvised and used in lieu of 



68 RECRUIT MANUAL 

the rifle and bayonet or intrenching tool as supports 
for the shelter tent. 

794. When the pack is not carried the company is 
formed for shelter tents, intervals are taken, arms are 
laid aside or on the ground, the men are dismissed and 
proceed to the wagon, secure their packs, return to 
their places, and pitch tents as heretofore described. 

795. Double shelter tents miay be pitched by first 
pitching one tent as heretofore described, then pitch- 
ing a second tent against the opening of the first, using 
one rifle to support both tents, and passing the front 
guy ropes over and down the sides of the opposite tents. 
The front corner of one tent is not pegged down, but 
is thrown back to permit an opening into the tent. 

Single Sleeping-Bag 

796. Spread the poncho on the ground, buttoned end 
at the feet, buttoned side to the left; fold the blanket 
once across its short dimension and lay it on the 
poncho, folded side along the right side of the poncho ; 
tie the blanket together along the left side by means 
of the tapes provided ; fold the left half of the poncho 
over the blanket and button it together along the side 
and bottom. 

Double Sleeping-Bag 

797. Spread one poncho on the ground, buttoned end 
at the feet, buttoned side to the left; spread the blank- 



RECRUIT MANUAL 69 

ets on top of the poncho ; tie the edges of the blankets 
together with the tapes provided, spread a second pon- 
cho on top of the blankets, buttoned end at the feet, 
buttoned side to the right; button the two ponchos 
together along both sides and across the end. 

798. To strike Shelter Tents. The men standing in 
front of their tents : STRIKE TENTS. Equipments 
and rifles are removed from the tent ; the tents are low- 
ered, packs made up, and equipments slung, and the 
men stand at attention in the places originally occu- 
pied after taking intervals. 

Shelter Tent Pitching for Troops With Equipment of 
Shelter Half Rolls Instead of Model 1910 

792. Same as 792 above. 

793. Same as 793 above, as far as period in seventh 
line. For remainder of paragraph substitute following : 

All unsling and open the blanket rolls and take out 
shelter half, poles and pins. Each then spreads his 
shelter half, triangle to the rear, flat upon the ground 
the tent is to occupy, rear-rank man's half on the right. 
The halves are then buttoned together. Each front- 
rank man joins his pole, inserts the top in the eyes of 
the halves, and holds the pole upright beside the bayo- 
net placed in the ground; his rear-rank man, using 
the pins in front, pins down the front corners of the 
tent on the line of bayonets, stretching the canvas taut ; 
he then inserts a pin in the eye of the rope and drives 



70 RECRUIT MANUAL 

the pin at such distance in front of the pole as to- hold 
the rope taut. Both men then go to the rear of the tent ; 
the rear-rank man adjusts the pole and the front-rank 
man drives the pins. The rest of the pins are then 
driven by both men, the rear-rank man working on the 
right. As soon as the tent is pitched each man arranges 
the contents of his blanket roll in the tent and stands 
at attention in front of his own half on line with the 
front guy-rope pin. The guy ropes, to have a uniform 
slope when the shelter tents are pitched, should all be 
of the same length. 

794. When the blanket roll is not carried, intervals 
are taken as described above ; the position of the front 
pole is marked with a bayonet and equipments are 
laid aside. The men then proceed to the wagon, se- 
cure rolls, return to their places, and pitch tents as 
heretofore described. 

795. To pitch double shelter tent, captain gives same 
command as before, except Take half interval is given 
instead of Take interval. In taking interval each man 
follows the preceding man at 2 paces. Captain then 
commands: PITCH DOUBLE TENTS. The first 
sergeant places himself on the right of the right guide 
and with him, pitches a single shelter tent. Only the 
odd numbers of the front rank mark the line with the 
bayonet. The tent is formed by buttoning together the 
square ends of 2 single tents. Two complete tents, 



RECRUIT MANUAL 71 

except one pole, are used. Two guy ropes are used at 
each end, the guy pins being placed in front of the cor- 
ner pins. The tents are pitched by Nos. 1 and 2, front 
and rear rank; and by Nos. 3 and 4, front and rear 
rank; the men falling in on the left are numbered, 
counting off if necessary. All the men spread their 
shelter halves on the ground the tent is to occupy. 
Those of the front rank are placed with the triangular 
ends to the front. All 4 halves are then buttoned 
together, first the ridges and then the square ends. 
The front corners of the tent are pinned by the 
front-rank men, the odd number holding the poles, 
the even number driving the pins. The rear- 
rank men similarly pin the rear corners. While the 
odd numbers steady the poles, each even number of 
the front rank takes his pole and enters the tent, where, 
assisted by the even number of the rear rank, he ad- 
justs the pole to the center eyes of the shelter halves 
in the following order: 

(1) The lower half of the front tent; (2) the lower 
half of the rear tent; (3) the upper half of the front 
tent; (4) the upper half of the rear tent. The guy 
ropes are then adjusted. The tents having been pitched, 
the triangular ends are turned back, contents of the 
rolls arranged, and the men stand at attention, each 
opposite his own shelter half and facing out ivom the 
tent. 



72 RECRUIT MANUAL 

Tactical Arm) Signals 

43. " Infantry Drill Regulations, 1911." The follow- 
ing arm signals are prescribed. In making signals 
either arm may be used. Officers who receive signals 
on the firing line " repeat back" at once to prevent mis- 
understanding. 

Forward, march. Carry the hand to the shoulder; 
straighten and hold arm horizontally, thrusting it in 
direction of march. This signal also used to execute 
quick time from double time. 

Halt. Carry hand to shoulder; thrust hand upward 
and hold arm vertically. 

Double time, march. Carry hand to shoulder ; rap- 
idly thrust hand upward the full extent of arm several 
times. 

Squads right, march. Raise arm, laterally until hori- 
zontal; carry it to a vertical position above head and 
swing it several times between vertical and horizontal 
positions. 

Squads left, march. Raise arm laterally until hori- 
zontal; carry it downward to the side and swing it 
several times between the downward and horizontal 
positions. 

Squads right about, march (if in close order), or 
To the rear, march (if in skirmish line). Extend the 
arm vertically above the head ; carry it laterally down- 



RECRUIT MANUAL 73 

ward to the side and swing it several times between 
vertical and downward positions. 

Change direction, or Column right (left), march. The 
hand on the side toward which the change of direction 
is to be made is carried across the body to the opposite 
shoulder, forearm horizontal ; then swing in horizontal 
plane, arm extended, pointing in new direction. 

As skirmishers, march. Raise both arms laterally 
until horizontal. 

As skirmishers, guide center, march. Raise both 
arms laterally until horizontal; swing both simulta- 
neously upward until vertical and return to horizontal; 
repeat several times. 

As skirmishers, guide right (left), march. Raise both 
arms laterally until horizontal; hold arm on side of 
the guide steadily in horizontal position; swing other 
upward until vertical and return it to the horizontal; 
repeat several times. 

Assemble, march. Raise arm vertically to its full 
extent and describe horizontal circles. 

Range, or Change Elevation. To announce range, 
extend arm toward the leaders or men for whom the 
signal is intended, fist closed; by keeping the fist 
closed battle sight is indicated; by opening and closing 
the fist, expose thumb and fingers to a number equal 
to the hundreds of yards ; to add 50 yards describe a short 
horizontal line with forefinger. To change elevation, 
indicate the amount of increase or decrease by fingers 



74 RECRUIT MANUAL 

as above; point upward to indicate increase and down- 
ward to indicate decrease. (For example, to indicate 
a range of 800 yards open the hand exposing thumb 
and all fingers, close fist and again open exposing thumb 
and 2 fingers. To add 50 yards, making 850 yards, 
conclude the signal by making a short horizontal line 
with the forefinger.) 

What range are you using? or What is the range? 
Extend the arms toward the person addressed, one 
hand open, palm to the front, resting on the other hand, 
fist closed. 

Are you ready? or I am ready. Raise hand, fingers 
extended and joined, palm toward person addressed. 

Commence firing. Move the arm extended in full 
length, hand palm down, several times through hori- 
zontal arc in front of body. 

Fire faster. Execute rapidly the signal " Commence 
firing." 

Fire slower. Execute slowly the signal " Commence 
firing." 

To swing the cone of fire to the right or left. Extend 
arm in full length to the front, palm to the right (left) ; 
swing arm to right (left), and point in direction of new 
target. 

Fix bayonet. Simulate movement of right hand in 
" fix bayonet." 

Suspend firing. Raise and hold forearm steadily in 



RECRUIT MANUAL 75 

horizontal position in front of forehead, palm of hand 
to the front. 

Cease firing. Raise forearm as in suspend firing and 
swing it up and down several times in front of face. 

Platoon. Extend the arm horizontally toward the 
platoon leader; describe small circles with the hand. 
(See Par. 44.) 

Squad. Extend the arm horizontally toward pla- 
toon leader; swing hand up and down from the wrist. 
(See Par. 44.) 

Rush. Same as double time. 

44. Signals platoon and squad are intended primarily 
for commjunication between captain and his platoon 
leaders. Signal platoon or squad indicates that the 
platoon commander is to cause the signal which fol- 
lows to be executed by platoon or squad. 

XXVI. EXTRACTS FROM " SMALL ARMS 
FIRING MANUAL, 1913 " 

As the rifle is the soldier's best friend he must culti- 
vate its acquaintance assiduously. He first gains an 
intimate acquaintance with all its parts and their uses 
which acquaintance will be gained in part as explained 
in Section XXII, above, and in part in Nomenclature 
of the Rifle Drills. He will then learn the use of the 
rifle with its bayonet so that his first instinct will be 
to use the bayonet if in close quarters, as it is said the 
Boche has great fear of cold steel. Then he will learn 



76 RECRUIT MANUAL 

to use the rifle as a firing weapon. That training is 
had in three principal stages: (1) Learning how to 
use the sights; (2) developing the muscles that are 
used in holding the rifle steady; (3) actually firing 
the rifle. It is wasting ammunition to attempt to shoot 
before the first two stages have been covered thor- 
oughly. This proposition cannot be stated too emphat- 
ically to represent the truth. If you would be a good 
shot and if you would qualify on the Range, give a 
great deal of attention to the following described exer- 
cises : Do not be content merely with being attentive 
at the regular instruction and drills but daily practice 
the Position and Aiming Drills or Exercises by your- 
self. Everyone knows that in order to play a game 
well one must keep one's '' hand in '' ; that is to say, one 
must keep exercising the particular muscles one uses 
in that game. If one " lays off " from playing a game 
for a considerable time one gets out of practice; that 
is, one loses control of those muscles used in that par- 
ticular game. For example: If a baseball pitcher 
stops playing ball for a time, and, say, does even heavy 
work that employs his muscles, he will not pitch a 
good game when he first comes back because he has 
not been using the special muscles one uses in pitching 
in the same way that one uses them in pitching. The 
same is true of tennis and other muscular games. And 
the same is true of shooting. One must keep practis- 
ing holding the rifle on the mark and steadily. The 



RECRUIT MANUAL 77 

following paragraphs have the numbers as they appear 
in the " Small Arms Firing Manual " : 

Sighting Drills 

15. Purpose: (1) To show how to align the sights 
properly on the mark. (2) To discover and demon- 
strate errors in sighting. (3) To teach uniformity in 
sighting. 

16. Apparatus and its use. Sighting Bar. To con- 
sist of: (a) A bar of wood about 1 by 2 inches by 4 
feet, with a thin slot 1 inch deep cut across the edge 
about 20 inches from one end. (b) A front sight of tin 
or cardboard one-half by 3 inches tacked to the end 
nearer the slot and projecting 1 inch above bar. (c) 
An eyepiece of tin or cardboard 1 by 3 inches tacked to 
the other end of, and projecting 1 inch above, the 
bar, with a very small hole (0.03 inch) one-half inch 
from top of part projecting above the bar. (d) An open 
rear sight of tin or cardboard 1.5 by 3 inches, with a 
U-shaped notch 0.75 inch wide cut in the middle of one 
of the long edges. This is placed in the slot on the 
bar. A slight bend of the part of the tin fitting in the 
slot will give enough friction to hold the sight in any 
part of slot in which it is placed, (e) A peep rear 
sight of tin or cardboard 3 by 3 inches, with a peep- 
hole 0.75 inch in diameter cut in the center. This re- 
places the open sight when the peep sight is shown. 
Carefully blacken all pieces of tin or cardboard and the 



78 RECRUIT MANUAL 



^ 



top of the bar. Nail the bar to a box about 1 foot high 
and place on the ground, table, or other suitable place. 
Then adjust the open or peep rear sight in the slot and 
direct the bar upon a bull's-eye (preferably a Y target) 
placed about 5 yards from the bar. No other than the 
sight desired can be seen. Errors, etc., are shown by 
manipulating the open and peep rear sights. 

17. Sighting Rest for Rifle. Take an empty pistol 
ammunition box or a similar well-made box, remove 
the top and cut notches in the ends to fit the rifle 
closely. Place the rifle in these notches with the trig- 
ger guard close to and outside one end. (The stock 
may be removed from the rifle so as to bring the eye 
as near the rear sight as in shooting.) Nail a plank 
(top of box will do) to a stake or wall about 12 inches 
from the ground. Fasten a blank sheet of paper to 
the plank. Place the rest firmly on the ground 20 or 
30 feet from the plank, so that the rifle is canted neither 
to the right nor left — weight the box with sand if nec- 
essary — and without touching the rifle or rest, sight 
the rifle near the center of the blank sheet of paper. 
Changes in the line of sight are made by changing the 
elevation and windage. Take the prone position with 
elbows on the ground, hands supporting the head. A 
soldier acting as marker is provided with a pencil and 
a small rod bearing a disk of white cardboard about 3 
inches in diameter, with a black bull's-eye (a black 
paster is best) pierced in the center with a hole just 



RECRUIT MANUAL 79 

large enough to admit the point of a lead pencil. The 
soldier sighting directs the marker to move the disk 
to the right, left, higher, or lower, until the line of aim 
is established, when he commands " Mark " or " Hold." 
At command Mark, being careful not to move the disk, 
the marker records through the hole in its center the 
position of the disk and then withdraws it. At com- 
mand Hold the marker holds the disk carefully in 
place without marking until the position is verified by 
instructor, and the disk is not withdrawn until so 
directed. 

18. Line of Sight. With the open sight the line of 
sight is determined by a point on the middle line of the 
notch of the rear sight and the top of the front sight. 
With the peep sight, the line of sight is determined by 
the center of the peep and the top of the front sight. 

19. Point of Aim. The soldier will be informed that 
to give the greatest uniformity a point just below the 
mark, and not the mark, is taken as the point of aim, 
as it is impossible always to know, if touching the 
mark with the top of the front sight, how much of the 
front sight is seen ; that the term " on the mark *' or 
bull's-eye will be understood to nxean an aim, taken 
just below the mark, showing a fine line of light be- 
tween the mark and the top of the front sight. 

20. The Normal Sight. Look through the rear sight 
notch at the bull's-eye or mark and bring the top of 
the front sight on a line with the top of and in the 



80 RECRUIT MANUAL 

center of the rear sight notch and aligned upon the 
point of aim. 

21. The Peep Sight. Look through the peep-hole at 
the bull's-eye or mark and bring the top of the front 
sight to the center of the aperture and aligned upon 
the point of aim. The soldier should be informed 
that regular results in firing can be obtained only when 
the same amount of front sight is taken each time, and 
that this can be done only by using the normal sight 
with the open notch or the peep sight in the manner 
described above. He should understand that the effect 
of taking less than the normal amount of sight is to 
cause a point lower than that aimed at to be struck, 
and that taking too much of the front sight causes a 
higher point to be struck. Although men will be found 
occasionally who can get excellent results by using the 
fine sight, the average man can not, and this form of 
sighting is not recommended. The so-called full sight 
should not be taught under any circumstances. If 
shown to the men at all, it should be for the purpose 
of pointing out a fault to be avoided. 

Remarks : The eye can be focused accurately upon ob- 
jects at but one distance at a time; all other objects 
in the field of view will appear more or less blurred, de- 
pending on their distance from the eye. This can be 
seen if a pencil is placed in the field of view near the 
eye while looking at some distant object. The pencil 
will appear blurred. This is the condition met with 



I 



RECRUIT MANUAL 81 

by the normal eye in sighting a rifle. If the eye is 
focused on one of the three points — the bull's-eye, the 
front sight, or the rear sight — the other two will appear 
blurred. This blurring effect is best overcome by using 
the peep sight, as though looking through a window, 
and focusing the eye on the bull's-eye. The blurring 
of the peep-hole will be concentric, giving a clear and 
easily defined center. The blurring of the front sight 
will be less, but symmetrical on both sides with very 
little blur on the top. It can be readily and naturally 
brought to the center of the peep-hole. Variations in 
light have less effect on the peep than on the open sight. 
But the limited field of view and the lack of readiness 
in getting quick aim with the peep sight limit its use 
to those stages of the combat when comparative delib- 
eration will be possible. In the later stages of the 
battle (especially when a lapid fire is to be delivered) 
the open sight will, in most cases, be used. In this 
case the normal sight should be used, as the horizontal 
line at the top of the notch of the rear sight affords 
a good guide for regularity. Whatever sight is used, 
the eye must be focused on the bull's-eye or mark, 
not on the front or rear sight. 

22. First Sighting Exercise. Using illustrations, de- 
scribe the normal sight and the peep sight. 

23. Using the sighting bar, represent the normal 
sight and the peep sight and require each man in the 
squad to look at them. 

6 



82 RECRUIT MANUAL 

24. Using the sighting bar, describe and represent 
the usual errors of sighting and require each man in 
the squad to look at them. 

25. Second Sighting Exercise. Using the sighting 
rest for the rifle, require each man to direct the marker 
to move the disk until the rifle is directed on the bull's- 
eye with the normal sight and command "Hold." The 
instructor will verify this line of sight. Errors, if any, 
will be explained to the soldier and another trial made. 
If he is still unable to sight correctly, the first exercise 
will be repeated. Soldiers sometimes will be found who 
do not know how to place the eye in the line of sight; 
they often look over or along one side of the notch of 
the rear sight and believe that they are aiming through 
the notch because they see it at the same time that they 
do the front sight. This error will probably be made 
evident by the preceding exercise. Some men in sight- 
ing will look at the front sight and not at the object. 
As this often occasions a blur, which prevents the ob- 
ject from being seen distinctly and increases both the 
difficulties and inaccuracies of sighting, it should be 
corrected. 

26. Repeat the above, using the peep sight. 

27. Third Sighting Exercise. Using the sighting 
rest for the rifle, require each man to direct the marker 
to move the disk until the rifle is directed on the bull's- 
eye with the normal sight and command "Mark"; 



RECRUIT MANUAL 83 

then, being careful not to move the rifle or sights, re- 
peat the operation until 3 marks have been made. 

(a) The Triangle of Sighting. — Join the 3 points de- 
termined as above by straight lines, mark with the sol- 
dier's name, and call his attention to the triangle thus 
formed. The shape and size of this triangle will indi- 
cate the nature of the variations made in aiming. 

(b) Abnormal Shape ; Causes. — If the triangle is ob- 
tuse angled, with its sides approaching the vertical, 
the soldier has not taken a uniform amount of front 
sight. If the sides of the triangle are more nearly hori- 
zontal the errors were probably caused by not looking 
through the middle of the notch or not over the top 
of the front sight. If any one of the sides of the tri- 
angle is longer than half an inch, the instructor directs 
the exercise repeated, verifying each sight and calling 
the soldier's attention to his errors. The instructor 
will explain that the sighting gains in regularity as the 
triangle becomes smaller. 

(c) Verifying the Triangle. — If the sides of the tri- 
angle are so small as to indicate regularity in sighting, the 
instructor will mark the center of the triangle and 
then place the center of the bull's-eye on this mark. 
The instructor will then examine the position of the 
bull's-eye with reference to the line of sight. If the 
bull's-eye is properly placed with reference to the line 
of sight, the soldier aims correctly and with uniformity. 



84 RECRUIT MANUAL 

If not so placed, he aims in a regular manner but with 
a constant error. 

(d) Causes of Errors. — If the bull's-eye is directly- 
above its proper position, the soldier has taken in aim- 
ing too little front sight, or if directly below, too much 
front sight. If directly to the right or left, the soldier 
has not sighted through the center of the rear-sight 
notch and over the top of the front sight. If to the 
right, he has probably either sighted along the left 
of the rear-sight notch or the right side of the front 
sight, or has committed both of these errors. If the 
bull's-eye is too far to the left, he has probably sighted 
along the right of the rear-sight notch or to the left 
of the front sight, or has combined these errors. If 
the bull's-eye is placed with reference to its proper 
position diagonally above and to the right, the soldier 
has probably combined the errors which placed it too 
high and too far to the right. Any other diagonal posi- 
tion would be produced by a similar combination of 
vertical and horizontal errors. 

As the errors thus shown are committed when the 
rifle is fixed in position, while that of the bull's-eye 
or target is altered, the effect will be directly opposite 
to the changes in location of a hit in the actual fire, 
occasioned by the same errors, when the target will be 
fixed and the rifle moved in aiming. After the above 
instruction has been given to one man, the line of sight 
will be slightly changed by moving the sighting rest 



RECRUIT MANUAL 85 

or by changing the elevation and windage, and the 
exercises similarly repeated with the other men of the 
squad. 

28. Repeat the third sighting exercise using the peep 
sight. 

29. Fourth Sighting Exercise. This exercise is a 
demonstration of the effect of canting the piece. The 
soldier must be impressed with the necessity of keep- 
ing the sights vertical when aiming, and not canting 
the piece to the right or left. Explain to the soldier 
that if the piece is canted to the right, the bullet will 
strike to the right and below the point aimed at, even 
though the rifle be otherwise correctly aimed and the 
sights correctly set. Similarly, if the piece is canted 
to the left, the bullet will strike to the left and low. 
This can be explained by showing that the elevation 
fixes the height of the point where the bullet will hit 
the target, and that the windage fixes the point to the 
right or left ; i.e., the elevation gives vertical effects and 
the windage horizontal effects. Let a pencil (or rod) 
held vertical represent the elevation ; now if the pencil 
is turned to the right 90 degrees, or horizontal, all the 
elevation has been taken off, causing the shot to strike 
to the right. 

30. This effect may be demonstrated as follows : Use 
the sighting rest with the rifle firmly held in the notches, 
the bolt removed. Paste a black paster near the center 
of the bottom line of the target. Sight the rifle on this 



86 RECRUIT MANUAL 

mark, using about 2000 yards elevation, then, being 
careful not to move the rifle, look through thq bore 
and direct the marker to move the disk until the bull's- 
eye is in the center of the field of view and command 
" Mark." Next turn the rest with the rifle on its side, 
and with the same elevation sight on the same paster 
as above, then, being careful not to move the rifle, 
look through the bore and again direct the marker to move 
the disk until the bull's-eye is in the center of the field 
of view and command " Mark." Not considering the 
fall of the bullet, the first mark represents the point 
struck with the sight vertical, the second mark repre- 
sents the point struck, low and to the right, using the 
same elevation and the same point of aim, when the 
piece is canted 90 degrees to the right. Different de- 
grees of canting the piece can be represented by draw- 
ing an arc of a circle through the 2 marks with the 
paster as a center. The second mark will be at a point 
on this arc corresponding to the degree of canting the 
piece. Emphasis will be laid on the fact that this ef- 
fect of canting increases with the distance from the 
target. 

31. Other Exercises. If time permits, the instructor 
may devise other exercises which suggest themselves 
as useful and beneficial to his men. The following are 
examples : 

(a) In strong sunlight make a triangle of sighting, 
using a rifle having sights worn bright. Then, being 



RECRUIT MANUAL 87 

careful not to move the rifle, blacken the sights and make 
another triangle. Use dotted lines for the triangle made 
with bright sights and full lines for the triangle made 
with blackened sights. The position and size of the 2 
triangles will plainly show the advantage of the black- 
ened sights. 

(b) In strong sunlight make a triangle of sighting; 
then, being careful not to move the rifle, make another 
triangle, having first shaded the target and the man sight- 
ing. The relative position of the triangles will show the 
importance of knowing the effects of varying degrees 
of light. 

Position and Aiming Drills 

32. Purpose. — To educate muscles of arm and body 
so that the piece, in the act of aiming, shall be held with- 
out restraint, and during the operation of firing shall 
not be deflected from the tangent by any convulsive or 
improper movement of the trigger finger or of the body, 
arms or hands. They also establish between the hand 
and eye such prompt and intimate connection as will 
insure that the finger shall act upon the trigger, giving 
the final pressure at the exact moment when the top 
of the front sight is seen to be directed upon the 
mark. The fact, though simple, cannot be too strongly 
impressed upon the recruit that if, at the moment of 
discharge, the piece is properly supported and correctly 
aimed, the mark surely will be hit. Since any intelli- 



88 RECRUIT MANUAL 

gent man can be taught to aim correctly and to hold 
the sights aligned upon the mark with a fair amount 
of steadiness, it follows that bad shooting must neces- 
sarily arise from causes otiher than bad aiming. The 
chief of these causes is known to be the deflection given to 
the rifle when it is discharged, due to the fact that 
the soldier, at the moment of firing, instead of squeez- 
ing the trigger, jerks it. This convulsive action is largely 
due to lack of famiharity with the methods of firing 
and to a constrained position of the muscles of the 
body, arm and hands, which constrained position it is 
the purpose of the Position and Aiming drills to correct. 
To become a good shot, constant, careful, and patient 
practice is required. Systematic aiming and squeez- 
ing the trigger will do much to make a rifleman. The 
men will be taught to take advantage of every oppor- 
tunity for practising aiming, and squeezing the trigger. 
For this purpose the barracks should be furnished 
with aiming targets, which the men will be encouraged 
to use at odd moments, as when waiting for a forma- 
tion or during a rest. At drill the soldier will be cau- 
tioned never to squeeze the trigger without selecting 
an object and taking careful aim. When on the range 
waiting for his turn to fire, the soldier should use part 
of his time in position and aiming exercises, aiming at 
the target or at objects outside the range, and he should 
be made to understand that this practice previous to 



RECRUIT MANUAL 89 

firing will tend to prevent nervousness and will have 
a marked effect upon his score. 

34. DRILLS; GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS.— 
These drills are divided into 4 progressive exercises. 
The first exercise teaches the position; second exer- 
cise teaches the position and the aim; third exercise 
teaches aim and manner of squeezing the trigger; 
fourth exercise teaches the methods of rapid fire. The 
exercises should be taught by the numbers first ; when 
fully understood, without numbers. To correct any 
tendency to cant the piece, the rear sight will be 
raised. A black paster at which to aim will be placed 
on the wall opposite each man. The squad being 
formed in single rank, with an interval of 1 yard be- 
tween files, the instructor directs the men to take posi- 
tion of Ready, except that the position of the feet will 
be such as to insure the greatest firminess and steadi- 
ness to the body. The instructor then cautions Posi- 
tion and Aiming Drill. The exercise being taught 
should be repeated frequently and made continuous. 
The instructor prefaces the preparatory command by 
Continue the motion or At will, and gives the command 
Halt at the conclusion of the exercise, when the sol- 
dier will return to position of Ready. Or the soldier 
may be made to repeat first and second motions by the 
command One, Two, the exercise concluding with the 
command Halt. Care should be taken by the instructor 
not to make the position and aiming drills tedious. 



90 RECRUIT MANUAL 

Thirty minutes daily should be spent in this practice 
during the period of preliminary instruction. After 
gallery practice is taken up, however, 5 or 10 minutes 
daily should be sufficient for these exercises. In order 
that the instructor may readily correct errors, the 
squads for these drills should not consist of mpre than 
8 men. The instructor should avoid holding the squad 
in tiresome positions while making explanations or 
correcting errors. 

35. POSITION EXERCISE.— Instructor commands : 
1. Position, 2. EXERCISE. At last command, without 
moving body or eyes, raise rifles smartly to the front 
of the right shoulder to the full extent of left arm, 
elbow inclined downward, barrel nearly horizontal, 
muzzle slightly depressed, heel of butt on a line with 
top of shoulder. (Two) Bring piece smartly against 
hollow of shoulder, without permitting shoulder to 
give way, and press rifle against it, m.ainly with right 
hand, only slightly with the left, the forefinger of right 
hand resting lightly against trigger, rifle inclined 
neither to right or left. (Three) Resume position of 
Ready. 

36. Remarks: Instructor should especially notice 
the position of each soldier in this exercise, endeavor- 
ing to give to each man an easy and natural position. 
He should see that the men avoid drawing in the stom- 
ach, raising the breast, or bending the small of the 
back. The butt of the piece should be pressed firmly. 



RECRUIT MANUAL 91 

but not too tightly, into the hollow of the shoulder 
and not against the muscles of the upper arm. If held 
too tightly, the pulsations of the body will be com- 
municated to the piece; if too loosely, the recoil will 
bruise the shoulder. If only the heel or toe touches the 
hollow of the shoulder, the recoil may throw the muz- 
zle down or up, affecting the position of the hit. While 
both arms are used to press piece to shoulder, the left 
arm should be used to direct piece and the right fore- 
finger must be left free to squeeze the trigger. 

37. Aiming Exercise. Instructor will first direct 
sights to be adjusted for the lowest elevation and sub- 
sequently for the different longer ranges. Instructor 
commands : 1. Aiming, 2. EXERCISE. At second com- 
mand execute first and second motions of Position Ex- 
ercise. (See Par. 35.) (Two) Bend head a little to the 
right, the cheek resting against the stock, left eye 
closed, right eye looking through the notch of rear 
sight at a point slightly below the mark. (Three) 
Draw a moderately long breath, let a portion of it es- 
cape, then, with lungs in a state of rest, slowly raise 
rifle with left hand, being careful not to incline the 
sight to either side, until the line of sight is directly on 
the m^ark; hold the rifle steadily directed on the mark 
for a moment ; then, without command and just before 
the power to hold the rifle steadily is lost, drop rifle to 
position of Ready and resume the breathing. 

38. Remarks: Some riflemen prefer to extend the 



92 RECRUIT MANUAL 

left arm. Such position gives greater control over rifle 
when firing in a strong wind or at moving objects. It 
also possesses advantages when a rapid as well as accu- 
rate delivery of fire is desired. Whatever the position, 
whether standing, kneeling, sitting, or prone, the piece 
should rest on the palm of the left hand, never on the 
tips of the fingers, and should be firmly grasped by all 
the fingers and the thumb. The eye may be brought to 
the line of sight either by lowering the head or by rais- 
ing the shoulder; it is best to combine somewhat these 
methods; the shoulder to be well raised by raising the 
right elbow and holding it well to the front and at right 
angles to the body. If the shoulder is not raised it will be 
necessary for the soldier to lower the head to the front 
in order to bring the eye into the line of sight. Lower- 
ing the head too far to the front brings it near the right 
hand which grasps the stock. When the piece is dis- 
charged, this hand is carried by the recoil to the rear and, 
when the head is in this position, may strike against the 
nose or mouth. This often happens in practice, and as a 
result of this blow often repeated many men become gun- 
shy, or flinch, or close their eyes at the moment of fir- 
ing. Much bad shooting, ascribed to other causes, is really 
due to this fault. Raising the right elbow at right angles 
to the body elevates the right shoulder, and lifts the piece 
so that it is no longer necessary to incline the head ma- 
terially to the front in order to look along the sights. As 
the length of the soldier's neck determines greatly the 



RECRUIT MANUAL 93 

exact method of taking the proper position, the instructor 
will be careful to see that the position is taken without 
restraint. 

39. As changes in the elevation of rear sight will neces- 
sitate a corresponding change in the position of the sol- 
dier's head when aiming, the exercise should not be held 
with the sight adjusted for the longer ranges until the 
men have been practised with the sights as the latter 
would generally be employed for offhand firing. 

40. The soldier must be cautioned that while raising 
the line of the sight to the mark he must fix his eyes 
on the mark and not on the front sight ; the latter can then 
be readily brought into the line joining the rear-sight 
notch and mark. If this plan be not followed, when 
firing is held on the range at long distances, the mark 
will generally appear blurred and indistinct. The front 
sight will always be plainly seen, even though the eye 
is not directed particularly upon it. 

41. The rifle must be raised slowly, without jerk, and 
its motion stopped gradually. In retaining it directed 
at the mark, care must be taken not to continue the aim 
after steadiness is lost; this period probably will be 
found to be short at first, but will quickly lengthen 
with practice. No effort should be made to prolong it 
beyond the time that breathing can be restrained easily. 
Each soldier will determine for himself the proper time 
for discontinuing the aim. 

42. The men must be cautioned not to hold the 



94 RECRUIT MANUAL 

breath too long, as a trembling of the body will result 
in many cases. 

43. Some riflemen prefer, in aiming, to keep both 
eyes open, but unless the habit is fixed, the soldier 
should be instructed to close left eye. 

44. Trigger Squeeze Exercise. Instructor com- 
mands : 1. Trigger squeeze, 2. EXERCISE. At second 
command soldier will execute first miotion of aiming 
exercise. (See Par. 37.) (Two) Execute second motion of 
aiming exercise. (Three) Draw a moderately long 
breath, let a portion of it escape, hold the breath and 
slowly raise the rifle with the left hand until the line 
of sight is on the mark, being careful not to incline the 
sights to either side. Contract the trigger finger grad- 
ually, slowly and steadily increasing the pressure on 
the trigger, while the aim is being perfected ; continue 
the gradual increase of pressure so that when the aim 
has become exact the additional pressure required to 
release the point of the sear can be given almost insen- 
sibly and without causing any deflection of the rifle. 
Continue the aim a moment after the release of the 
firing pin, observe if any change has been made in 
the direction of the line of sight, and then resume the 
position of Ready, cocking the piece by raising and 
lowering the bolt handle. 

45. Remarks: Poor shooting is often the result of 
lack of proper coordination of holding the breath, the 
maximum steadiness of aim, and the squeeze of the 



RECRUIT MANUAL 95 

trigger. By frequent practice in this exercise, each 
man may come to know the exact instant his firing pin 
will be released. He must be taught to hold the breath, 
bring the sights to bear upon the mark, and squeeze 
the trigger all at the same time. 

46. The Trigger Squeeze. — The trigger should be 
squeezed, not pulled, the hand being closed upon itself 
as a sponge is squeezed, the forefinger sharing in this 
movement. The forefinger should be placed as far 
around the trigger as to press it with the second joint. 
By practice the soldier becomes familiar with the trig- 
ger squeeze of his rifle, and knowing this, he is able 
to judge at any time, within limits, what additional 
pressure is required for its discharge. By constant 
repetition of this exercise he should be able finally to 
squeeze the trigger to a certain point beyond which the 
slightest movement will' release the sear. Having 
squeezed the trigger to this point, the aim is corrected 
and, when true, the additional pressure is applied and 
the discharge follows. 

47. Rapid- Fire Exercise. Object: To teach the sol- 
dier to aim quickly and at same time accurately in all 
the positions he will be called upon to assume in range 
practice. 

48. Instructor commands: 1. Rapid-fire exercise, 2. 
COMMENCE FIRING. At first command, the first 
and second motions of trigger-squeeze exercise are per- 
formed. (See Par. 44.) At second command, soldier 



96 RECRUIT MANUAL 

performs third motion of trigger-squeeze exercise, squeez- 
ing the trigger without disturbing the aim or the posi- 
tion of the piece, but at the same time without undue 
deliberation. He then, without removing the rifle 
from the shoulder, holding the piece in position with 
left hand, grasps handle of the bolt with right hand, 
rapidly draws back the bolt, closes the chamber, aims, 
and again squeezes the trigger. This movement is re- 
peated until the trigger has been squeezed 5 times, 
when, without command, piece is brought back to 
position of Ready. When soldier has acquired some 
facility in this exercise, he will be required to repeat 
the movement 10 times, and finally, by using dummy 
cartridges, he may, by degrees, gain the necessary 
quickness and dexterity for the execution of rapid fire 
required in range firing. 

49. Methods. — The methods of taking position, of 
aiming, and of squeezing the trigger, taught in the pre- 
ceding exercises, should be carried out in the rapid-fire 
exercise, with due attention to all details taught 
therein ; the details being carried out as prescribed ex- 
cept that greater promptness is necessary. In order 
that any tendency on the part of the recruit to slight 
the movements of aiming and of trigger- squeeze shall 
be avoided, the rapid-fire exercise will not be taught 
until the recruit is thoroughly drilled and familiar with 
the preceding exercises. The recruit will be instructed 



RECRUIT MANUAL 97 

that with practice in this class of fire the trigger can be 
squeezed promptly without deranging the piece. 

50. Repetition. — If the recruit seems to execute ex- 
ercise carelessly, require him to repeat it at a slower 
rate. 

51. Manipulation of Breech Mechanism. — To hold 
piece to shoulder and, at same time, manipulate breech 
mechanism with proper facility are only learned after 
much practice. Some riflemen, especially those who 
shoot from left shoulder, find it easier, in rapid fire, to 
drop piece to position of load after each shot. While 
at first trial this method may seem easier, it is believed 
that, with practice, the advantage of the former meth- 
ods will be apparent. 

52. Position and Aiming Drill, Kneeling. These ex- 
ercises will be repeated in kneeling position, causing 
squad to kneel by commands prescribed in Drill Regu- 
lations. The exercises will be executed as prescribed 
for standing, except that at command " Two " in posi- 
tion exercise, soldier will rest left elbow on left knee, 
the point of elbow in front of knee-cap. Pasters for 
kneeling exercises should be 2.5 feet from the floor or 
ground. 

53. Remarks : In raising rifle to the mark in second 
and third exercises, position of left hand should not be 
changed, but the left forearm should be brought toward 
body and at same time body bent slightly to rear. When 
aiming kneeling there is, from nature of position, a ten- 

7 



98 RECRUIT MANUAL 

dency to press butt of rifle against upper arm instead 
of against hollow of shoulder; this will necessitate 
inclining head considerably to right to get line of sight, 
and by bringing rifle so far to the rear will, if thumb 
is placed across stock, cause it to give by the recoil a 
blow upon the nose or mouth. These difficulties may 
be avoided by advancing right elbow well to the front, 
at same time raising it so that arm is about parallel 
with ground. The hollow of shoulder will then be the 
natural place for the rifle butt, and the right thumb will 
be brought too far from the face to strike it in recoil. 
Some riflemen prefer, by bending the ankle, to rest the 
instep flat on the ground, weight of body coming more 
on the upper part of heel ; this obviates any tendency 
of right knee to slip; or, by resting right side of foot 
on the ground, toe pointing to the front, to bring 
weight of body on left side of foot. These positions 
are authorized. 

54. Choice of Position. — In firing kneeling, steadi- 
ness obtained depends greatly upon the position 
adopted. The peculiarities of conformation of the in- 
dividual soldier exert, when firing kneeling, a greater 
influence than when firing either standing, sitting, or 
prone; the instructor should, therefore, carefully en- 
deavor to place the soldier in the position for which 
he is best adapted by his build and which position will 
exert the least tension or strain upon muscles and 
nerves. It should be remembered, however, that with- 



RECRUIT MANUAL 99 

out the rest of left elbow on knee this position pos- 
sesses no advantage of steadiness over standing 
position. 

55. Kneeling Position; When Taken. — Kneeling 
position can be taken more quickly than either the sit- 
ting or the prone position. It is, therefore, the posi- 
tion naturally assumed when a soldier who is standing 
or advancing has to make a quick shot at a moving or 
disappearing object and desires mor.e steadiness than 
can be obtained standing. 

56. Position and Aiming Drill, Sitting. In many 
cases men, while able to kneel and hold piece moder- 
ately steady, can obtain much better results in sitting 
position. Therefore, all should be instructed in aim- 
ing sitting as well as kneeling. To practice the sol- 
dier in the preceding exercises in a sitting position, 
squad being formed in single rank with an interval of 
one pace between files, rifle should first be brought to 
Order Arms. Instructor then commands: Sit Down. 
At this command, make half face to right and, assisted 
by left hand on the ground, sit down, facing slightly to 
right, left leg directed toward the front, right leg in- 
clined toward the right, both heels (but not necessarily 
the bottoms of feet) on the ground, right knee slightly 
higher than left ; body erect and carried naturally from 
the hips; at same time drop muzzle of piece to front 
and to position of first motion of load, right hand upon 
the thigh, just in front of body, left hand slightly above. 



100 RECRUIT MANUAL 

but not resting upon, left leg. The exercise will be 
executed as heretofore prescribed, except that at com- 
mand '* Two " (position exercise) the soldier will rest 
the left elbow on left knee, the point of elbow in front 
of knee-cap, and the right elbow against the left or in- 
side of the right knee, at same time inclining body 
slightly forward. For aiming and trigger-squeeze exer- 
cises the pasters, used as aiming points, will be 2.5 
feet from ground or floor. To afford men rest on com- 
pletion of kneeling or sitting exercises, instructor com- 
mands Rise, when the men rise, face to front, and 
resume the Order Arms. 

57. If preceding position is practised carefully, 
steadiness is attained quickly. Right leg should not 
be carried so far to right as not to afford good support 
or brace for right elbow. This position may be modi- 
fied, but, in general, not without impairing the steadi- 
ness of the man, by crossing the legs at ankle, outside 
of each foot resting upon the ground, body more 
erect, and knees slightly more raised than in previous 
position. 

Position and Aiming Drill, Prone. From nature of 
position, it is not practicable to execute these exer- 
cises according to method followed when standing or 
kneeling. However, instruction will be given always 
with reference to the position, to manner of assuming 
it, and to aiming and squeezing trigger. For this pur- 
pose, the squad being formed as specified in paragraph 



RECRUIT MANUAL 101 

56 (black pasters therein mentioned being about 12 
inches from ground), squad will be brought to Order 
Arms. Then (squad either standing or kneeling) in- 
structor commands: LIE DOWN, which will be exe- 
cuted as prescribed in Drill Regulations (see Par. 
129 under sec. XXV, above) ; legs may be spread apart 
and toes turned out if found to give steadier position. 
After squad has taken position as prescribed above, 
legs should be inclined well to left and either crossed 
or separated as the soldier prefers or as his particular 
conformation appears to render most desirable, and 
body at same time inclined slightly to right. With 
care and practice soldier may acquire an easy position 
which he is able to assume with great facility. Being 
at Ready, instructor then commands: 1. Trigger 
squeeze, 2. EXERCISE. At second command carry 
left elbow to the front and slightly to right, left hand 
under barrel at balance, weight of body mainly sup- 
ported by left elbow, the right resting lightly on the 
floor or ground. (Two) Slide rifle with right hand 
through left hand to the front until left hand is a little 
in front of trigger guard ; at same time raise rifle with 
both hands and press it against hollow of shoulder. 
(Three) Direct rifle upon the mark and carry out the 
further details of aiming and squeezing the trigger 
as prescribed in Par. 44. Then resume position, lying 
down. As soon as the men have acquired with ac- 



102 RECRUIT MANUAL 

curacy the details of position they will be practised, 
without the numbers, in aiming and squeezing the 
trigger at will; after which the rapid-fire exercise in 
prone position will be practised, the necessary skill 
and dexterity being acquired by degrees. To afford 
the men rest, or on completion of the exercise, in- 
structor commands: RISE, which is executed as pre- 
scribed in Drill Regulations (Par. 130 of Sec. XXV). 
59. Remarks: The preceding position for firing ly- 
ing down possesses in a greater degree than any 
other position the merit of adaptability to the conforma- 
tion of the ground; it enables the soldier to deliver 
fire over low parapets or improvised shelters, thus mak- 
ing the best use of cover. The importance of training 
the soldier in firing from the other positions should not, 
however, be lost sight of, since from the prone posi- 
tion it will frequently be impossible to see the ob- 
jective. Back positions are not authorized. In the 
prone position, when aiming, the left elbow should be 
well under the barrel, the other elbow somewhat to the 
right, but not so far as to induce any tendency to slip 
on the floor or ground. The greater changes in eleva- 
tion required in first directing rifle on the object should 
be given by altering the position of the left hand under 
barrel, the slighter changes only by advancing or with- 
drawing shoulder. As the body does not yield to the 
recoil, the force of recoil may severely bruise the sol- 



RECRUIT MANUAL 103 

dier if the rifle is not properly held. It is one of the 
objects of this exercise to so teach him that this will be 
prevented by assuming a correct position. Care must 
be exercised that the butt is not brought against col- 
lar bone. By moving shoulder slightly to front or 
rear, and by moving right elbow from body or toward 
it, each soldier may determine position in which shoul- 
der gives to the butt of the rifle the easiest rest. This 
will probably be the one in which the force of recoil 
will be least felt. The soldier should persist in this 
exercise until he obtains a position in which he feels 
no constraint, which will not subject him to bruises 
from recoil, and from which the mark appears plainly 
through the sights. Having secured such a position, he 
must not change it when firing, as a variation in the 
points of support of the rifle, the distance of eye from 
rear sight, or tension of the hold has a decided effect, 
especially at longer ranges, upon the location of point 
struck. 

60. Use of Sling. — After soldier has been drilled in 
proper standing, kneeling, sitting, and prone positions 
in foregoing exercises, the use of sling will be taught. 
Its use is described in Par. 91. Adjustments and their 
advantages will be taught with the idea of noninterfer- 
ence with quickness and freedom of action. The trig- 
ger-squeeze exercises will then be continued in the 
different positions, using sling. 



104 RECRUIT MANUAL 

XXVII. NOTES ON FIRST-AID MEASURES 

In every command, Medical Officers give lectures 
and demonstrations on this subject. There is an ex- 
cellent booklet, entitled " First Aid for the Trenches," 
by Somerville Hastings, published by Geo. V. Harvey 
Publishing Co., 109 Lafayette St., New York, price 60c. 
From the first day you enter the service, you may have 
occasion to apply *' First Aid " to some one in distress. 
Therefore, the following notes are given for your im- 
mediate use : 

L TO DISTRESSED IN WATER: (a) If the dis- 
tressed person is in danger of exhaustion, he should 
turn and float on back, or seek support from any- 
thing floating nearby. Many people drowned, sacri- 
fice themselves solely by reason of panic because they 
struggle desperately in the water instead of taking the 
situation calmly by floating until help comes. 

(b) In rescuing others, swimmers should call to the 
distressed person and tell him that help is at hand. Res- 
cuer approaches from behind, seizes him by the hair, 
3,.A turns him on his back. Rescuer takes same position 
behind the distressed person, keeping the head above 
water by an occasional kick or movement of the feet. 

(c) As soon as man is pulled out of water, remove his 
shirt, lay him on his face, clasp hands under his belly, 
and raise his stern in order to drain water from his 
lungs. 



RECRUIT MANUAL 105 

(d) Then turn him on his back quickly, place a rolled 
shirt or bundle under his shoulders, and thoroughly wipe 
out his mouth and nose. Pull his tongue forward and 
either tie a string around it and the chin so as to hold it 
down, or grasp tongue with handkerchief and hold it out. 

(e) Restore breathing: First motion. — Operator 
rests on one knee behind man's head, seizes both his 
forearms, thumbs pointing inward; sweeps them away 
from the body and over the head, at same time operator 
braces one foot against man's shoulder and, rising and 
leaning back, makes strong pull on man's arms for a 
couple of seconds. Second motion. — Operator rises 
quickly and, leaning over patient, still grasping his fore- 
arms, brings them across lower part of his chest, making 
strong pressure with operator's weight against patient's 
lower ribs, to drive air out of patient's chest. This mo- 
tion takes only a seconds Repeat these motions alter- 
nately about 15 times a minute for at least half an hour 
unless patient begins breathing sooner. 

(/) While one operator is doing the above, another 
should strip off patient's wet clothes and rub his body 
and legs toward the heart. Put warm clothes around 
him, blankets preferred, and, if possible, anything hot 
(hot bricks, hot sand, a board that has lain in the sun) 
should be applied to the body. 

(g) Do not remove patient until he is conscious and 
breathing naturally. 

2. EYE : Particles get on inner surface of upper lid. 



106 RECRUIT MANUAL 

Tell patient to look down and, if particles can't be seen, 
press a match, pencil, or edge of a finger across upper 
lid, half an inch above edge of lid, at same time taking 
hold of lashes and turning lid up. Remove particle 
with a corner of a clean handkerchief or end of a clean 
stick. 

3. EAR: If an insect or other object lodges in ear, 
float it out with warm water. 

4. FIRE : To put out fire burning clothing on a per- 
son, throw the person down and cover him with a coat, 
blanket, or anything that will smother flames, and roll 
him so as to aid the smothering process. 

5. FAINTING: Lay the fainting person flat on 
back, head lower than body, and loosen clothing. If 
ammonia is at hand, hold it under patient's nose. 

6. BLOOD CHECKING (Hemorrhage) : (a) 
Early in your service get a Hospital Corps man to show 
you exactly your great blood vessels, which are called 
Carotid, Subclavian, Brachial, and Femoral arteries. 

(6) When the blood spurts in jets, or flows very 
freely, press the great vessels in that part against the 
bone beneath so as to stop the flow, and then, with 
such help as can be gotten (using aid of wounded man 
if he can give any) apply a ** Spanish windlass " or 
tourniquet. The " Spanish windlass " is an improvised 
appliance consisting of a handkerchief, cloth, or band of 
some sort more than long enough to reach around the 
limb or part where the blood-vessel is; ends tied to- 



RECRUIT MANUAL 107 

gather and a stick or bayonet thrust through the knot, 
to be used to turn the band tight. Put a smooth stone 
or lumped piece of cloth over the blood-vessel to be 
compressed, so that when the band is tightened by turn- 
ing the stick or bayonet the stone or lump will press 
hard down on the vessel. When the band is tight, the 
stick can be tied to the band so that it can't unwind. 
Don't leave windlass tight more than 2 hours; if it 
stays longer tight, gangrene may result. 

(c) If possible stop the flow of blood by pressing 
against the wound with the pad in the First- Aid Packet, 
or by pressing against the blood-vessel with the fingers 
until medical aid arrives. 

(d) Elevate the wounded part as much as possible 
and loosen all tight clothes. 

7. FIRST-AID PACKET contains 2 compresses 
made of folds of gauze, 1 gauze bandage, 2 safety-pins, 
and a triangular bandage. (Sometimes the compresses 
and bandage are all in one piece.) 

8. Fir St- Aid Packet Use. (a) Don't wash the wound, 
nor touch it with the fingers, (b) Don't touch any part 
of the dressing that will come in contact with wound. 
(c)Put one compress on each hole of wound or wounds 
and wrap the bandage around the compresses to hold them 
in place, (d) If wound is on hairy scalp, part the hair 
without touching the wound before applying the com- 
press. (^) If the wound is beneath the clothes, cut them 
so that the wound can be dressed. (/) When a bone is 



108 RECRUIT MANUAL 

broken and pieces project through the flesh, check the 
bleeding and apply compresses and bandage. Then apply 
2 splints. (Splints are stiff pieces of something that will 
act as a support; pieces of wood are best, but if sticks 
can't be obtained promptly use the stiffest things at 
hand: pasteboard, newspapers folded in the form of 
narrow boards, or even a sock filled with straw, grass 
or sand.) The bones must be pulled into place before 
applying splints, which will then hold the bones in place 
after the splints are tied on. Tie the splints in 2 places, 
one above and one below the wound or fracture. 
Strings, suspenders, or gun slings may be used for 
tying. Fix the knots against the splint, not against 
the flesh. Don't tie tight enough to shut off circula- 
tion of blood, (g) Broken bones should be spHnted 
before moving wounded man to rear. Then if break is 
not in leg he usually can walk to rear by being sup- 
ported. If break is in leg he must be carried, (h) In 
every case keep wounded part elevated to avoid con- 
gestion of blood. 

XXIX. PERTINENT SELECTIONS FROM "AR- 
TICLES FOR THE GOVERNMENT 
OF THE NAVY." 

Article 3. Any irreverent or unbecoming behavior 
during divine service shall be punished as a general or 
summary court-martial may direct. 

Art 4. The punishment of death, or such other pun- 



I 



RECRUIT MANUAL 109 



ishment as a court-martial may adjudge, may be in- 
flicted on any person in the naval service : 

(1) Who makes, or attempts to make, or unites with 
any mutiny or mutinous assembly, or, being witness 
to or present at any mutiny, does not do his utmost 
to suppress it ; or, knowing of any mutinous assembly 
or of any intended mutiny, does not immediately com- 
municate his knowledge to his superior or commanding 
officer ; 

(2) Or disobeys the lawful orders of his superior 
officer; 

(3) Or strikes or assaults, or attempts or threatens 
to strike or assault, his superior officer while in the 
execution of the duties of his office; 

(4) Or gives any intelligence to, or holds or enter- 
tains any intercourse with, an enemy or rebel, with- 
out leave from the President, the Secretary of the Navy, 
the Commander-in-chief of the fleet, the commander 
of the squadron, or, in case of a vessel acting singly, 
from his commanding officer; 

(5) Or receives any message or letter from an enemy 
or rebel, or, being aware of the unlawful reception of 
such message or letter, fails to take the earliest oppor- 
tunity to inform his superior officer or commanding 
officer thereof; 

(6) Or, in time of war, deserts or entices others to 
desert ; 

(7) Or, in time of war, deserts or betrays his trust, 



no RECRUIT MANUAL 

or entices or aids others to desert or betray their trust ; 

(8) Or sleeps upon his watch; 

(9) Or leaves his station before being regularly re- 
lieved; 

(10) Or intentionally or willfully suffers any vessel 
of the Navy to be stranded or run upon rocks or shoals, 
or improperly hazarded ; or maliciously or willfully in- 
jures any vessel of the Navy, or any part of her tackle, 
armiament, or equipment, whereby the safety of the 
vessel is hazarded or the lives of the crew exposed to 
danger ; 

(11) Or unlawfully sets on fire, or otherwise unlaw- 
fully destroys, any public property not at the time in 
possession of an enemy, pirate, or rebel; 

(12) Or strikes or attempts to strike the flag to an 
enemy or rebel without proper authority, or, when 
engaged in battle, treacherously yields or pusillani- 
mously cries for quarter; 

(13) Or, in time of battle, displays cowardice, neg- 
ligence, or disaffection, or withdraws from or keeps 
out of danger to which he should expose himself ; 

(14) Or, in time of battle, deserts his duty or station, 
or entices others to do so; 

(15) Or does not properly observe the orders of his 
commanding officer, and use his utmost exertions to 
carry them into execution, when ordered to prepare 
for or join in, or when actually engaged in battle, or 
while in sight of an enemy ; 



RECRUIT MANUAL HI 

(16) Or, being in command of a fleet, squadron, or 
vessel acting singly, neglects, when an engagement is 
probable, or when an armed vessel of an enemy or 
rebel is in sight, to prepare and clear his ship or ships 
for action; 

(17) Or does not, upon signal for battle, use his 
utmost exertion to join in battle ; 

(18) Or fails to encourage, in his own person, his 
inferior officers and men to fight courageously ; 

(19) Or does not do his utmost to overtake and cap- 
ture or destroy any vessel which it is his duty to 
encounter ; 

(20) Or does not afford all practicable relief and 
assistance to vessels belonging to the United States 
or their allies when engaged in battle. 

Art. 5. All persons who, in time of war, or of rebel- 
lion against the supreme authority of the United States, 
come or are found in the capacity of spies, or who 
bring or deliver any seducing letter or message from 
an enemy or rebel, or endeavor to corrupt any person 
in the Navy to betray his trust, shall suffer death, 
or such other punishment as a court-martial may 
adjudge. 

Art. 6. If any person belonging to any public ves- 
sel of the United States commits the crime of murder 
without the territorial jurisdiction thereof he may be 
tried by court-martial and punished with death. 

Art. 7. A naval court-martial may adjudge the pun- 



112 RECRUIT MANUAL 

ishment of imprisonment for life, or for a stated term, 
at hard labor, in any case where it is authorized to 
adjudge death; and such sentences may be carried into 
execution in any prison or penitentiary under control 
of the United States, or which the United States may 
be allowed by the legislature of any state to use; and 
persons so imprisoned shall be subject in all respects 
to the same discipline and treatment as convicts sen- 
tenced by the courts of the State or Territory in which 
same may be situated. 

Art. 8. Such punishment as a court-martial may ad- 
judge may be inflicted upon any person in the Navy : 

(1) Who is guilty of profane swearing, falsehood, 
drunkenness, gambling, fraud, theft, or any other scan- 
dalous conduct tending to the destruction of good 
morals ; 

(2) Or is guilty of cruelty toward, or oppression 
or maltreatment of any person subject to his orders; 

(3) Or quarrels with, strikes, or assaults, or uses 
provoking or reproachful words, gestures, or menaces 
toward, any person in the Navy ; 

(4) Or endeavors to foment quarrels between other 
persons in the Navy; 

(5) Or sends or accepts a challenge to fight a duel or 
acts as a second in a duel ; 

(6) Or treats his superior officer with contempt, or 
IS disrespectful to him in language or deportment, 
while in the execution of his office ; 



RECRUIT MANUAL 113 

(7) Or joins in or abets any combination to weaken 
the lawful authority of, or lessen the respect due to, 
his commanding officer; 

(8) Or utters any seditious or mutinous words ; 

(9) Or is negligent or careless in obeying orders, 
or culpably inefficient in the performance of duty; 

(10) Or does not use his best exertions to prevent 
the unlawful destruction of public property by others ; 

(11) Or through inattention or negligence suffers 
any vessel of the Navy to be stranded, or run upon a 
rock or shoal, or hazarded ; 

(12) Or, when attached to any vessel appointed as 
convoy to any merchant or other vessels, fails dili- 
gently to perform his duty, or demands or exacts any 
compensation for his services, or maltreats the officers 
or crew of such merchant or other vessels; 

(14) Or knowingly makes or signs or aids, abets, 
directs^ or procures the making or signing of, any 
false muster; 

(15) Or wastes any ammunition, provisions or other 
public property, or having power to prevent it, know- 
ingly permits such waste; 

(16) Or, when on shore, plunders, abuses, or mal- 
treats any inhabitant, or injures his property in any 
way; 

(17) Or refuses, or fails to use his utmost exertions 
to detect, apprehend, and bring to punishment all 

8 



114 RECRUIT MANUAL 

offenders, or to aid all persons appointed for that 
purpose ; 

(18) Or, when rated or acting as master-at-arms, re- 
fuses to receive such prisoners as may be committed 
to his charge, or, having received them, suffers them 
to escape, or dismisses them without orders from 
proper authority; 

(19) Or is absent from his station or duty without 
leave, or after his leave has expired ; 

(20) Or violates or refuses obedience to any lawful 
general order or regulation issued by the Secretary of 
the Navy; 

(21) Or, in time of peace, deserts or attempts to de- 
sert, or aids and entices others to desert ; 

(22) Or receives or entertains any deserter from 
any other vessel of the Navy, knowing him to be such, 
and does not, with all convenient speed, give notice 
of such deserter to the commander of the vessel 
to which he belongs, or to the commander-in-chief, or 
to the commander of the squadron. 

Art. 11. No person in the naval service shall pro- 
cure stores or other articles or supplies for, and dis- 
pose thereof to, the officers or enlisted men on vessels 
of the Navy, or at any navy yards or naval stations, for 
his own account or benefit. 

Art. 12. No person connected with the Navy shall, 
under any pretense, import in a public vessel any ar- 
ticle which is liable to the payment of duty. 



i 



P RECRUIT MANUAL 115 

Art. 13. Distilled spirits shall be admitted on board 
of vessels of war only upon the order and under the 
control of the medical officers of such vessels, and to 
be used for medical purposes only. 

Art. 14. Fine and imprisonment, or such other pun- 
ishment as a court-martial may adjudge, shall be in- 
flicted upon any person in the naval service of the 
United States: 

Who presents or causes to be presented to any per- 
son in the civil, military, or naval service thereof, for 
approval or payment, any claim against the United 
States or any officer thereof, knowing such claim to be 
false or fraudulent; or 

Who enters into any agreement or conspiracy to 
defraud the United States by obtaining, or aiding 
others to obtain, the allowance or payment of any false 
or fraudulent claim ; or * ''^ * * 

Who steals, embezzles, knowingly and willfully mis- 
appropriates, applies to his own use or benefit,; or 
wrongfully and knowingly sells or disposes of any ord- 
nance, arms, equipments, ammunition, clothing, sub- 
I sistence stores, money, or other property of the United 
j 'States, furnished or intended for the military or naval 
fe^ervice thereof; or * * * '^^ 

IjB Who executes, attempts, or countenances any other 
I • fraud against the United States. 

\ Art 17. If any person in the Navy strips off the 
I clothes of, or pillages, or in any manner maltreats. 



I 



116 RECRUIT MANUAL 

any person taken on board a prize, he shall suffer such 
punishment as a court-martial may direct. 

Art. 22. All offenses committed by persons belong- 
ing to the Navy which are not specified in the forego- 
ing articles shall be punished as a court-martial may 
direct. 

Art. 23. All offenses committed by persons belong- 
ing to the Navy while on shore shall be punished in 
the same manner as if they had been committed at sea. 

Art. 24. No commander of a vessel (or commandant 
of a post on shore) shall * * * inflict or cause to be 
inflicted upon any petty (or non-commissioned) officer, 
or person of inferior rating, or marine, for a single of- 
fense, or at any one time, any other than one of the 
following punishments, namely: 

(1) Reduction of any rating (rank) established by 
himself. 

(2) Confinement, not exceeding 10 days, unless fur- 
ther confinement be necessary in the case of a prisoner 
to be tried by court-martial. The use of irons, single 
or double, is abolished except for the purpose of safe 
custody or when part of a sentence imposed by general 
court-martial. 

(3) Solitary confinement, on bread and water, not 
exceeding 5 days. 

(4) Solitary confinement not exceeding 7 days. 

(5) Deprivation of liberty on shore. 

(6) Extra duties. 



RECRUIT MANUAL 117 

Art. 30. Summary courts-martial may sentence 
petty (and non-commissioned) officers and persons of 
inferior ratings (rank) to any one of the following 
punishments, namely: 

(1) Discharge from the service with bad-conduct 
discharge; but the sentence shall not be carried in ef- 
fect in a foreign country. 

(2) Solitary confinement, not exceeding 30 days, on 
bread and water, or on diminished rations. 

(3) Solitary confinement not exceeding 30 days. 

(4) Confinement not exceeding 2 months. 

(5) Reduction to next inferior rating (rank). 

(6) Deprivation of liberty on shore on foreign 
station. 

(7) Extra police duties, and loss of pay, not to ex- 
ceed 3 months, may be added to any of the above- 
mentioned punishments. 

Art. 31. A summary court-martial may disrate (re- 
duce) any rated person (non-commissioned officer) for 
incompetency. 

Art. 49. In no case shall punishment by flogging, or 
by branding, marking, or tattooing on the body be 
adjudged by any court-martial or be inflicted upon any 
person in the Navy. 

Art. 50. No person shall be sentenced by a court- 
martial to suffer death, except by the concurrence of 
two-thirds of the members present, and in cases where 
such punishment is expressly provided in these articles. 



118 RECRUIT MANUAL 

All other sentences may be determined by a majority 
of votes* 

Art. 53. No sentence of a court-martial, extending to 
the loss of life, * >k h« shall be carried into execution 
until confirmed by the President. 

Art. 502. Navy Regulations, 1913 : A deck court 
shall consist of one commissioned officer only, who, 
while serving in such capacity, shall have power to ad- 
minister oaths, to hear and determine cases, and to im- 
pose, in whole or in part, the punishment prescribed by 
Article 30 of the Articles for the Government of the 
Navy, but in no case shall a deck court adjudge con- 
finement or forfeiture of pay for a longer period than 
20 days. The order constituting the court shall be in 
writing. 

Art. 506. When an enlisted man is brought before 
the deck court for trial, he shall signify his willingness 
to be so tried by affixing his signature to a statement 
to that effect in the record. If he does so object to 
such a trial, he shall be tried for the offense by a sum- 
mary court-martial. 

As the Articles for the Government of the Navy con- 
stitute the statutory law under which the personnel of 
the Navy is governed, so the Articles of War, em- 
bodied in an Act of Congress, approved August 29, 
1916 (39 Stat. 650-670), amending Section 1342, Re- 
vised Statutes of the United States, present the funda- 
mental law for the personnel of the Army. Every 



RECRUIT MANUAL 119 

soldier of the Army should famiHarize himself with 
the following selected articles, which refer in particular 
to military jurisdiction and define military offenses. 

Article 1. Definitions. — The following words when 
used in these articles shall be construed in the sense 
indicated in this article, unless the context shows that 
a dift'erent sense is intended, namely: 

(a) The word '' officer '' shall be construed to refer to 
a commissioned officer ; 

(fc) The word " soldier" shall be construed as includ- 
ing a non-commissioned officer, a private, or any other 
enHsted man; 

(c) The word " company'' shall be understood as in- 
cluding a troop or battery; and 

{d) The word " battalion " shall be understood as in- 
cluding a squadron. 

Art. 2. Persons Subject to Military Law. — The fol- 
lowing persons are subject to these articles and shall 
be understood as included in the term '' any person 
subject to military law," or " persons subject to mih- 
tary law," whenever used in these articles : Provided, 
That nothing contained in this Act, except as specifi- 
cally provided, in Article 2, subparagraph (c), shall 
be construed to apply to any person under the United 
States naval jurisdiction, unless otherwise specifically 
provided by law : 

(a) All officers and soldiers belonging to the Regular 
Army of the United States ; all volunteers, from the dates 



120 RECRUIT MANUAL 

of their muster or acceptance into the military service 
of the United States; and all other persons lawfully 
called, drafted or ordered into, or to duty or for training 
in, the said service, from the dates they are required by 
the terms of the call, draft or order to obey the same ; 

(b) Cadets; 

(c) Officers and soldiers of the Marine Corps when 
detached for service with the armies of the United States 
by order of the President : Provided, That an officer or 
soldier of the Marine Corps when so detached may be 
tried by military court-martial for an offense committed 
against the laws for the government of the naval service 
prior to his detachment, and for an offense committed 
against these articles he may be tried by a naval court- 
martial after such detachment ceases; 

(d) All retainers to the camp and all persons accom- 
panying or serving with the armies of the United States 
without the territorial jurisdiction of the United States, 
and in time of war all such retainers and persons accom- 
panying or serving with the armies of the United States 
in the field, both within and without the territorial juris- 
diction of the United States, though not otherwise subject 
to these articles ; 

(e) All persons under sentence adjudged by courts- 
martial ; 

(/) All persons admitted into the Regular Army Sol- 
diers' Home at Washington, District of Columbia. 



RECRUIT MANUAL 121 

Art. 3. Courts-Martial Classified. Courts-martial 
shall be of three kinds, namely : 

First, General courts-martial; 

Second, Special courts-martial ; and 

Third, Summary courts-martial. 

Art. 4. Who May Serve on Courts-Martial. — All 
officers in the miUtary service of the United States, and 
officers of the Marine Corps when detached for service 
with the Army by order of the President, shall be 
competent to serve on, courts-martial for the trial of 
any persons who may lawfully be brought before such 
courts for trial. 

Art. 5. General Courts-Martial. — General courts- 
martial may consist of any number of officers from five 
to thirteen, inclusive ; but they shall not consist of less 
than thirteen when that number can be convened with- 
out manifest injury to the service. 

Art. 6. Special Courts-Martial. — Special courts- 
martial may consist of any number of officers from 
three to five, inclusive. 

Art. 7. Summary Courts-Martial.— -A summary 
court-martial shall consist of one officer. 

Art. 12. General Courts-Martial. — General courts- 
martial shall have power to try any person subject to 
military law for any crime or offense made punishable 
by these articles and any other person who by the law 
of war is subject to trial by military tribunals: Pro- 
vided, That no officer shall be brought to trial before 



122 RECRUIT MANUAL 



i 



a general court-martial appointed by the Superinten- 
dent of the Military Academy. 

Art. 13. Special Courts-Martial. — Special courts- 
martial shall have power to try any person subject to 
military law, except an officer, for any crime or oif ense 
not capital jnade punishable by these articles: Pro- 
vided, That the President may, by regulations, which 
he may modify from time to time, except from the juris- 
diction of special courts-m.artial any class or classes 
of persons subject to military law. 

Special courts-martial shall not have power to ad- 
judge dishonorable discharge, nor confinem,ent in ex- 
cess of six months, nor to adjudge forfeiture of more 
than six months' pay. 

Art. 14. Summary Courts-Martial. — Summary 
courts-martial shall have power to try any person sub- 
ject to military law, except an officer, a cadet, or sol- 
dier holding the privileges of a certificate of eligibility 
to promotion, for any crime or offense not capital made 
punishable by these articles: Provided, That non-com- 
missioned officers shall not, if they object thereto, be 
brought to trial before a summary court-m,artial with- 
out the authority of the officer competent to bring 
them to trial before a general court-martial: Pro- 
vided further. That the President may, by regulations, 
which he may modify from time to time, except from 
the jurisdiction of summary courts-martial any class or 
classes of persons subject to military law. 



RECRUIT MANUAL 123 

Summary courts-martial shall not have power to ad- 
judge confinement in excess of three months, nor to 
adjudge the forfeiture of more than three months' pay: 
Provided, That when the summary court officer is 
also the commanding officer no sentence of such sum- 
mary court-martial adjudging confinement at hard 
labor or forfeiture of pay, or both, for a period in excess 
of one month shall be carried into execution until the 
same shall have been approved by superior authority. 

Art. 15. Not Exclusive. — The provisions of these 
articles conferring jurisdiction upon courts-martial 
shall not be construed as depriving military commis- 
sions, provost courts or other military tribunals of 
concurrent jurisdiction in respect of offenders or of- 
fenses that by the law of war may be lawfully triable 
by such military commissions, provost courts, or other 
military tribunals. 

Art. 16. Officers; How Triable. — Officers shall be 
triable only by general courts-martial, and in no case 
shall an officer, when it can be avoided, be tried by 
officers inferior to him in rank. 

Art. 17. Judge Advocate to Prosecute. — The judge 
advocate of a general or special court-martial shall 
prosecute in the name of the United States, and shall, 
under the direction of the court, prepare the record 
of its proceedings. The accused shall have the right 
to be represented by counsel of his own selection for 
his defense, if such counsel be reasonably available. 



124 RECRUIT MANUAL 

but should he, for any reason, be unrepresented by- 
counsel, the judge advocate shall from, time to time 
throughout the proceedings advise the accused of his 
legal rights. 

Art. 18. Challenges. — Members of a general or spe- 
cial court-martial may be challenged by the accused, 
but only for cause stated to the court. The court 
shall determine the relevancy and validity thereof, and 
shall not receive a challenge to more than one m,ember 
at a time. 

Art. 20. Continuances. — A court-martial may^ for 
reasonable cause, grant a continuance to either party 
for such time and as often as may appear to be just. 

Art. 21. Refusal to Plead. — When the accused, ar- 
raigned before a court-martial, from obstinacy and de- 
liberate design stands mute or answers foreign to the 
purpose, the court may proceed to trial and judgment 
as if he had pleaded not guilty. 

Art. 22. Process to Obtain Witnesses. — Every judge 
advocate of a general or special court-martial and 
every summary court-martial shall have power to issue 
the like process to compel witnesses to appear and 
testify which courts of the United States, having crim- 
inal jurisdiction, may lawfully issue ; but such process 
shall run to any part of the United States, its Terri- 
tories, and possessions. 

Art. 23. Refusal to Appear or Testify. — Every per- 
son not subject to military law who, being duly sub- 



RECRUIT MANUAL 125 

poenaed to appear as a witness before any military 
court^ commission, court of inquiry, or board, or be- 
fore any officer, military or civil, designated to take a 
deposition to read in evidence before court, com,mis- 
sion, court of inquiry, or board, willfully neglects or 
refuses to appear, or refuses to qualify as a witness, or 
to testify, or produce documentary evidence which such 
person may have been legally subpoenaed to produce, 
shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, for which 
such person shall be punished on information in the 
district court of the United States or in a court of 
original criminal jurisdiction in any of the territorial 
possessions of the United States, jurisdiction being 
hereby conferred upon such courts for such purpose; and 
it shall be the duty of the United States district attorney 
or the officer prosecuting for the Government in any 
such court of original criminal jurisdiction, on the cer- 
tificate of the facts to him by the military court, com- 
mission, court of inquiry, or board, to file an informa- 
tion against and prosecute the person so offending, and 
the punishment of such person, on conviction, shall be 
a fine of not more than $500 or imprisonment not to 
exceed six months, or both, at the discretion of the 
court : Provided, That the fees of such witness and his 
mileage, at the rates allowed to witnesses attending 
the courts of the United States, shall be duly paid or 
tendered said witness, such amount to be paid out of 
the appropriation for the compensation of witnesses. 



126 RECRUIT MANUAL 



i 



Art. 29. Enlistment Without Discharge. — Any sol- 
dier who, without having first received a regular dis- 
charge, again enlists in the Army, or in the militia 
when in the service of the United States, or in the Navy 
or Marine Corps of the United States, or in any foreign 
army, shall be deemed to have deserted the service of 
the United States ; and, where the enlistment is in one 
of the forces of the United States mentioned above, to 
have fraudulently enlisted therein. 

Art. 32. Contempts. — A court-martial may punish 
at discretion, subject to the limitations contained in 
Article 14, any person who uses any menacing words, 
signs, or gestures in its presence, or who disturbs its 
proceedings by any riot or disorder. 

Art. 37. Irregularities; Effect of. — The proceedings 
of a court-martial shall not be held invalid, nor the 
findings or sentence disapproved, in any case on the 
ground of improper admission or rejection of evidence 
or for any error as to any manner of pleading or pro- 
cedure unless in the opinion of the reviewing or con- 
firming authority, after an examination of the entire 
proceedings, it shall appear that the error complained 
of has injuriously affected the substantial rights of the 
accused: Provided, That the act or omission upon 
which the accused has been tried constitutes an offense 
denounced and made punishable by one or more of 
these articles: Provided further. That the omission 
of the words ** hard labor " in any sentence of a court- 



RECRUIT MANUAL 127 

martial adjudging imprisonment or confinement shall 
not be construed as depriving the authorities executing 
such sentence of imprisonment or confinement of the 
power to require hard labor as a part of the punishment 
in any case where it is authorized by the Executive 
order prescribing maximum punishments. 

Art. 39. As to Tim,e. — Except for desertion com- 
mitted in time of war, or for mutiny or murder, no 
person subject to military law shall be liable to be 
tried or punished by a court-martial for any crime or 
offense committed more than two years before the ar- 
raignment of such person : Provided, That for deser- 
tion in time of peace or for any crime or offense pun- 
ishable under Articles 93 and 94 of this code 
the period of limitations upon trial and punishment 
by court-martial shall be three years: Provided fur- 
ther. That the period of any absence of the accused 
from the jurisdiction of the United States, and also 
any period during which by reason of some manifest 
impediment the accused shall not have been amenable 
to military justice, shall be excluded in computing the 
aforesaid periods of limitation : And provided fur- 
ther. That this article shall not have the effect to au- 
thorize the trial or punishment for any crime or offense 
barred by the provisions of existing law. 

Art. 40. As to Number. — No person shall be tried 
a second time for the same offense. 

Art. 41. Certain Punishments Prohibited. — Punish- 



128 RECRUIT MANUAL 

ment by flogging or by branding, marking, or tattooing 
on the body is prohibited. 

Art. 42. Places of Confinement ; When Lawful. — Ex- 
cept for desertion in time of war, repeated desertion 
in time of peace, and mutiny, no person shall under 
the sentence of a court-martial be punished by confine- 
ment in a penitentiary unless an act or omission of 
which he is convicted is recognized as an offense of a 
civil nature by some statute of the United States, or at 
the common law as the same exists in the District of 
Columbia, or by way of commutation of a death sen- 
tence, and unless also, the period of confinement au- 
thorized and adjudged by such court-martial is one 
year or m,ore : Provided, That when a sentence of 
confinemicnt is adjudged by a court-martial upon con- 
viction of two or more acts or omissions any one of 
which is punishable under these articles by confine- 
ment in a penitentiary, the entire sentence of confine- 
ment may be executed in a penitentiary: Provided 
further. That penitentiary confinem,ent hereby author- 
ized may be served in any penitentiary directly or in- 
directly under the jurisdiction of the United States: 
Provided further, That persons sentenced to dishonor- 
able discharge and to confinement not in a penitentiary 
shall be confined in the United States Disciplinary 
Barracks or elsewhere as the Secretary of War or the 
reviewing authority may driect, but not in a penitentiary. 

Art. 43. Death Sentence; When Lawful. — No per- 



RECRUIT MANUAL 129 

son shall, by general court-martial, be convicted of an 
offense for which the death penalty is made manda- 
tory by law, nor sentenced to suffer death, except by 
the concurrence of two-thirds of the members of said 
court-martial and for an offense in these articles ex- 
pressly made punishable by death. All other convic- 
tions and sentences, whether by general or special 
court-martial, may be determined by a majority of the 
members present. 

Art. 46. Approval and Execution of Sentence. — No 
sentence of a court-martial shall be carried into execu- 
tion until the same shall have been approved by the 
officer appointing the court or by the officer command- 
ing for the time being. 

Art. 51. Suspension of Sentences of Dismissal or 
Death. — The authority competent to order the execu- 
tion of a sentence of dismissal of an officer or of a 
sentence of death may suspend such sentence until 
the pleasure of the President be known, and in case 
of such suspension a copy of the order of suspension, 
together with a copy of the record of the trial, shall 
immediately be transmitted to the President. 

Art. 52. Suspension of Sentences of Dishonorable 
Discharge. — The authority competent to order the exe- 
cution of a sentence, including dishonorable discharge, 
may suspend the execution of the dishonorable dis- 
charge until the soldier's release from confinement; 
but the order of suspension may be vacated at any 
9 



130 RECRUIT MANUAL 

time and the execution of the dishonorable discharge 
directed by the officer having general court-martial 
jurisdiction over the command, exclusive of peniten- 
tiaries and the United States Disciplinary Barracks, in 
which the soldier is held or by the Secretary of War. 

Art. 53. Suspension of Sentences of Forfeiture or 
Confinement. — The authority competent to the exe- 
cution of a sentence adjudged by a court-martial may, 
if the sentence involve neither dismissal nor dishon- 
orable discharge, suspend the execution of the sentence 
in so far as it relates to the forfeiture of pay or to con- 
finement, or to both; and the person under sentence 
be restored to duty under the suspension of confine- 
ment. At any time within one year after the date of 
the order of suspension such order may, for sufficient 
cause, be vacated and the execution of the sentence 
directed by the military authority competent to order 
the execution of like sentences in the command, exclu- 
sive of penitentiaries and the United States Discipli- 
nary Barracks, to which the person under sentence be- 
longs or in which he may be found; but if the order 
of suspension be not vacated within one year after 
the date thereof the suspended sentence shall be held to 
have been remitted. 

Art. 54. Fraudulent Enlistment. — Any person who 
shall procure him,self to be enlisted in the military ser- 
vice of the United States by means of willful misrep- 
resentation or concealment as to his qualifications ior 



RECRUIT MANUAL 131 

enlistment, and shall receive pay or allowances under 
such enlistment, shall be punished as a court-martial 
may direct. 

Art. 58. Desertion. — Any person subject to military 
law who deserts or attempts to desert the service of the 
United States shall, if the offense be committed in time 
of war, suffer death or such other punishment as a court- 
martial may direct, and, if the offense be committed at any 
other time, any punishment, excepting death, that a court- 
martial may direct. 

Art. 59. Advising or Aiding Another to Desert. — 
Any person subject to military law who advises or 
persuades or knowingly assists another to desert the 
military service of the United States shall, if the 
offense be committed in time of war, suffer death, or 
such other punishment as a court-martial may direct, 
and if the offense be committed at any other time, 
any punishment, except death, that a court-miartial 
may direct 

Art. 60. Entertaining a Deserter. — Any officer, who 
after having discovered that a soldier in his command 
is a deserter from the military or naval service or from 
the Marine Corps, retains such deserter in his com- 
mand without informing superior authority or the 
commander of the organization to which the deserter 
belongs, shall be punished as a court-martial may 
direct. 

Art. 61. Absence Without Leave. — Any person sub- 



132 RECRUIT MANUAL 

ject to military law who fails to repair at the fixed 
time to the proper appointed place of duty, or goes 
from the same without proper leave, or absents 
himself from his command, guard, quarters, station, 
or camp without proper leave shall be punished as a 
court-martial may direct. 

Art. 62. Disrespect Toward the President, Vice- 
President, Congress, Secretary of War, Governors, 
Legislatures. — Any officer who uses contemptuous or 
disrespectful words against the President, Vice-Presi- 
dent, the Congress of the United States, the Secretary 
of War, or the governor or legislature of any State, 
Territory, or other possession of the United States in 
which he is quartered shall be dismissed from the ser- 
vice or suffer such other punishment as a court-mar- 
tial may direct. Any other person subject to military 
law who so offends shall be punished as a court-martial 
may direct. 

Art. 6v3. Disrespect Toward Superior Officer. — Any 
person subject to military law who' behaves himself 
with disrespect toward his superior officer shall be 
punished as a court-martial may direct. 

Art. 64. Assaulting or Willfully Disobeying Su- 
perior Officer. — Any person subject to military law 
who, on any pretense whatsoever, strikes his superior 
officer or draws or lifts up any weapon or t)ffers any 
violence against him, being in the execution of his of- 
fice, or willfully disobeys any lawful comm^and of his 



RECRUIT MANUAL 133 

superior officer, shall suffer death or such other pun- 
ishment as a court-martial may direct. 

Art. 65. Insubordinate Conduct Toward Non-com- 
missioned Officer. — Any soldier who strikes or assaults 
or who attempts or threatens to strike or assault, or 
willfully disobeys the lawful order of a non-commis- 
sioned officer while in the execution of his office, or 
uses threatening or insulting language, or behaves 
in an insubordinate or disrespectful manner toward a 
non-commissioned officer while in the execution of his 
office, shall be punished as a court-martial may direct. 

Art. 66. Mutiny or Sedition. — Any person subject 
to military law who attempts to create or who begins, 
excites, causes, or joins in any mutiny or sedition in 
any company, party, post, camp detachment, guard, 
or other command shall suffer death or such other 
punishment as a court-martial may direct. 

Art. 67. Failure to Suppress Mutiny or Sedition. — 
Any officer or soldier who, being present at any mu- 
tiny or sedition, does not use his utmost endeavor to 
suppress the same, or knowing or having reason to 
believe that a mutiny or sedition is to take place, does 
not without delay give information thereof to his com- 
manding officer shall suffer death or such other pun- 
ishment as a court-martial may direct. 

Art. 68. Quarrels; Frays; Disorders. — All officers 
and non-commissioned officers have power to part and 
quell all quarrels, frays and disorders among persons 



134 RECRUIT MANUAL 

subject to military law and to order officers who take 
part in them into arrest, and other persons subject to 
military law who take part in the same into arrest or 
confinement, as circumstances may require, until their 
proper superior officer is acquainted therewith. And 
whosoever, being so ordered, refuses to obey such of- 
ficer or non-commissioned officer or draws a weapon 
upon or otherwise threatens or does violence to him 
shall be punished as a court-martial may direct. 

Art. 69. Arrest or Confinement of Accused Persons. 
— An officer charged with crime or with a serious of- 
fense under these articles shall be placed in arrest by 
the commanding officer, and in exceptional cases an 
officer so charged may be placed in confinement by the 
same authority. A soldier charged with crime or with 
a serious offense under these articles shall be placed 
in confinement and when charged with a minor offense 
he may be placed in arrest. Any other person subject 
to military law charged with crime or with a serious 
offense under these articles shall be placed in confine- 
ment or in arrest, as circumstances may require; and 
when charged with a minor offense such person miay 
be placed in arrest. Any person placed in arrest under 
the provisions of this article shall thereby be restricted 
to his barracks, quarters or tent, unless such limits 
shall be enlarged by proper authority. Any officer 
who breaks his arrest or who escapes from confinement 
before he is set at liberty by proper authority shall be 



RECRUIT MANUAL 135 

dismissed from the service or suffer such other pun- 
ishment as a court-martial may direct; and any other 
person subject to miHtary law who escapes from con- 
finement or who breaks his arrest before he is set at 
liberty by proper authority shall be punished as a 
court-martial may direct. 

Art. 70. Investigation Of and Action Upon Charges. 
— No person put in arrest shall be continued in confine- 
ment more than eight days, or until such time as a 
court-martial can be assembled. When any person is 
put in arrest for the purpose of trial, except at remote 
military posts or stations, the officer by whose order 
he is arrested shall see that a copy of the charges on 
which he is to be tried is served upon him within eight 
days after his arrest, and that he is brought to trial 
within ten days thereafter^ unless the necessities of the 
service prevent such a trial; and then he shall be 
brought to trial within thirty days after the expiration 
of said ten days. If a copy of the charges be not served 
or the arrested person be not brought to trial, as herein 
required, the arrest shall cease. But persons released 
from arrest, under provisions of this article, may be 
tried, whenever the exigencies of the service shall 
permit, within twelve months after such release from 
arrest: Provided, That in time of peace no person 
shall, against his objections, be brought to trial before 
a general court-martial within a period of five days 
subsequent to the service of charges upon him. 



136 RECRUIT MANUAL 

Art. 73. Releasing Prisoner Without Proper Au- 
thority. — ^Any person subject to military law who, 
without proper authority, releases any prisoner duly 
committed to his charge, or who through neglect or ^ 
design suffers any prisoner so committed to escape, 
shall be punished as a court-martial may direct. 

Art. 75. Misbehavior Before the Enemy. — ^Any offi- 
cer or soldier who misbehaves himself before the 
enemy, runs away, or shamefully abandons or delivers 
up any fort, post, camp, guard or other command 
which it is his duty to defend, or speaks words induc- 
ing others to do the like, or casts away his arms or 
ammunition, or quits his post or colors to plunder or 
pillage, or by any means whatsoever occasions false 
alarms in camp, garrison or quarters, shall suffer death 
or such other punishment as a court-martial may 
direct. 

Art. 76, Subordinates Compelling Commander to 
Surrender. — If any commander of any garrison, fort, 
post, camp, guard or other command is compelled, by 
the officers or soldiers under his command, to give it 
up to the enemy or to abandon it, the officers or sol- 
diers so offending shall suffer death or such other pun- 
ishment as a court-martial may direct. 

Art. 77, Improper Use of Countersign. — Any person 
subject to military law who makes known the parole 
or countersign to any person not entitled to receive it 
according to the rules and discipHne of war, or gives 



RECRUIT MANUAL 137 

a parole or countersign different from that which he 
receives, shall, if the offense be committed in time of 
war, suffer death or such other punishment as a court- 
martial may direct. 

Art. 78. Forcing a Safeguard. — Any person subject 
to military law w^ho, in time of war, forces a safeguard 
shall suffer death or such other punishment as a court- 
martial may direct. 

Art. 79. Captured Property to be Secured for Public 
Service.~All public property taken from the enemy is 
the property of the United States, and shall be secured 
for the service of the United States, and any person 
subject to military law who neglects to secure such prop- 
erty or is guilty of wrongful appropriation thereof shall 
be punished as a court-martial may direct. 

Art. 80. Dealing in Captured or Abandoned Prop- 
erty. — Any person subject to military law who buys, 
sells, trades, or in any way deals in or disposes of cap- 
tured or abandoned property, whereby he shall receive 
or expect any profit, benefit, or advantage to himself 
or to any other person directly or indirectly connected 
with himself, or who fails whenever such property 
comes into his possession or custody or within his con- 
trol to give notice thereof to the proper authority and 
to turn over such property to the proper authority with- 
out delay, shall, on conviction thereof, be punished 
by fine or imprisonment, or by such other punishment as 
a court-martial, military comimission, or other military 



138 RECRUIT MANUAL 

tribunal may adjudge, or by any or all of said 
penalties. 

Art. 81. Relieving, Corresponding With, or Aiding 
the Enemy. — ^Whosoever relieves the enemy with 
arms, ammunition, supplies, money, or other thing, 
or knowingly harbors or protects or holds, correspond- 
ence with or gives intelligence to the enemy, either 
directly or indirectly, shall suffer death or such other 
punishment as a court-martial or military commission 
may direct. 

Art. 82. Spies. — Any person who in time of war shall 
be found lurking or acting as a spy in or about any of 
the fortifications, posts, quarters or encampments of 
any of the armies of the United States, or elsewhere, 
shall be tried by a general court-martial or by a mili- 
tary commission, and shall, on conviction thereof, suf- 
fer death. 

Art. 83. Military Property; Willful or Negligent 
Loss, Damage or Wrongful Disposition. — Any person 
I subject to military law who willfully, or through neg- 
lect, suffers to be lost, spoiled, damaged, or wrongfully 
disposed of, any military property belonging to the 
United States shall make good the loss or damage and 
suffer such punishment as a court-martial may direct. 

Art. 84. Waste or Unlawful Disposition of Military 
Property Issued to Soldiers. — Any soldier who sells or 
wrongfully disposes of or willfully or through neglect 
injures or loses any horse, arms, ammunition, accoutre- 



RECRUIT MANUAL 139 

merits, equipment, clothing or other property issued 
for use in the miHtary service, shall be punished as a 
court-martial may direct. 

Art. 85. Drunk on Duty. — Any officer who is found 
drunk on duty shall, if the offense be committed in time 
of war, be dismissed from the service and suffer such 
other punishment as a court-martial may direct ; and 
if the offense be committed in time of peace, he shall 
be punished as a court-martial may direct. Any per- 
son subject to military law, except an officer, who is 
found drunk on duty shall be punished as a court- 
martial may direct. 

Art. 86. Misbehavior of Sentinel. — Any sentinel who 
is found drunk or sleeping upon his post, or who leaves 
it before he is regularly relieved, shall, if the offense 
be committed in time of war, suffer death or such 
other punishment as a court-martial may direct; and 
if the offense be committed in time of peace, he shall 
suffer any punishment, except death, that a court- 
martial miay direct. 

Art. 87. Personal Interest in Sale of Provisions. — 
Any officer commanding in any garrison, fort, bar- 
racks, camp, or other place where troops of the United 
States may be serving, who, for his private advantage, 
lays any duty or imposition upon or is interested in the 
sale of any victuals or other necessaries of life brought 
into such garrison, fort, barracks, camp, or other place 
for the use of the troops, shall be dismissed from the 



140 RECRUIT MANUAL 

service and suffer such other punishment as a court- 
martial may direct. 

Art. 88. Intimidation of Persons Bringing Provi- 
sions. — Any person subject to military law who abuses, 
intimidates, does violence to, or wrongfully interferes 
with any person bringing provisions, supplies, or other 
necessaries to the camp, garrison, or quarters of the 
forces of the United States shall suffer such punish- 
ment as a court-martial may direct. 

Art. 89. Good Order to be Maintained and Wrongs 
Redressed. — All persons subject to military law are to 
behave themselves orderly in quarters, garrison, camp, 
and on the march; and any person subject to military 
law who commits any waste or spoil, or willfully de- 
stroys any property whatsoever (unless by order of his 
commanding officer), or commits any kind of dep- 
redation or riot, shall be punished as a court-martial 
may direct. Any commanding officer, who upon com- 
plaint made to him, refuses or om,its to see reparation 
made to the party injured, in so far as the offender's 
pay shall go toward such reparation, as provided for 
in Article 105, shall be dismissed from the service, or 
otherwise punished, as a court-martial may direct. 

Art. 90. Provoking Speeches or Gestures. — No per- 
son subject to military law shall use any reproachful 
or provoking speeches or gestures to another; and 
any person subject to military law who offends against 



RECRUIT MANUAL 141 

the provisions of this article shall be punished as a 
court-martial may direct. 

Art. 91. Duelling. — Any person subject to military 
law who fights or promotes or is concerned in or con- 
nives at fighting a duel, or who having knowledge of 
a challenge sent or about to be sent fails to report the 
fact promptly to the proper authority shall, if an offi- 
cer, be dismissed from the service or suflfer such other 
punishment as a court-martial may direct ; and if any 
other person subject to military law, shall suffer such 
punishment as a court-martial may direct. 

Art. 92. Murder; Rape. — Any person subject to mili- 
tary law who commits murder or rape shall sufifer death 
or imprisonment for life, as a court-^martial may direct; 
but no person shall be tried by court-martial for mur- 
der or rape committed within the geographical limits 
of the States of the Union and the District of Columbia 
in time of peace. 

Art. 93. Various Crimes. — Any person subject to 
military law^ who commits manslaughter, mayhem, 
arson, burglary, robbery, larceny, embezzlement, per- 
jury, assault with intent to commit any felony, or as- 
sault with intent to do bodily harm, shall be punished 
as a court-martial may direct. 

Art. 94. Frauds Against the Government. — Any per- 
son subject to military law who makes or causes to be 
made any claim against the United States or any offi- 



142 RECRUIT MANUAL 

cer thereof, knowing such claim to be false or fraudu- 
lent; or 

Who presents or causes to be presented to any per- 
son in the civil or military service thereof, for approval 
or payment, any claim against the United States, or 
any officer thereof, knowing such claim to be false or 
fraudulent ; or 

Who enters into any agreement or conspiracy to 
defraud the United States by obtaining, or aiding 
others to obtain, the allowance or payment of any 
false or fraudulent claim ; or 

Who, for the purpose of obtaining, or aiding others 
to obtain, the approval, allowance, or payment of any 
claim against the United States or against any officer 
thereof, makes or uses, or procures, or advises the 
making or use of, any writing or other paper, knowing 
the same to contain any false or fraudulent statements ; 
or 

Who, for the purpose of obtaining, or aiding others 
to obtain, the approval, allowance, or payment of any 
claim against the United States or any officer thereof, 
makes, or procures, or advises the making of, any oath 
to any fact or to any writing or other paper, knowing 
such oath to be false; or 

Who, for the purpose of obtaining, or aiding others 
to obtain, the approval, allowance, or payment of any 
claim against the United States or any officer thereof, 
forges or counterfeits, or procures, or advises the forg- 



RECRUIT MANUAL 143 

ing or counterfeiting of any signature upon any writ- 
ing or other paper, or uses, or procures, or advises the 
use of any such signature, knowing the same to be 
forged or counterfeited ; or 

Who, having charge, possession, custody, or control 
of any money or other property of the United States, 
furnished or intended for the mihtary service thereof, 
knowingly delivers, or causes to be delivered, to any 
person having authority to receive the same, any 
amount thereof less than that for which he receives a 
certificate or receipt ; or 

Who, being authorized to make or deliver any paper 
certifying the receipt of any property of the United 
States furnished or intended for the military service 
thereof, makes or delivers to any person such writing, 
without having full knowledge of the truth of the state- 
ments therein contained and with intent to defraud 
the United States ; or 

Who steals, embezzles, knowingly and willfully mis- 
appropriates, applies to his own use or benefit, or 
wrongfully or knowingly sells or disposes of any ord- 
nance, arms, equipment, ammunition, clothing, sub- 
sistence stores, money, or other property of the United 
States furnished or intended for the military service 
thereof; or 

Who knowingly purchases or receives in pledge for 
any obligation or indebtedness from any soldier, offi- 
cer, or other person who is a part of or employed in 



144 RECRUIT MANUAL 

said forces or service, any ordnance, arms, equipment, 
ammunition, clothing, subsistence stores, or other prop- 
erty of the United States, such soldier, officer, or other 
person not having lawful right to sell or pledge the 
same; 

Shall, on conviction thereof, be punished by fine or 
imprisonment, or by such other punishment as a court- 
martial may adjudge, or by any or all of said penalties. 
And if any person, being guilty of any of the offenses 
aforesaid vi^hile in the military service of the United 
States, receives his discharge or is dismissed from the 
service, he shall continue to be liable to be arrested and 
held for trial and sentence by a court-martial in the 
same manner and to the same extent as if he had not 
received such discharge nor been dismissed. 

Art. 96. General Article. — Though not mentioned in 
these articles, all disorders and neglects to the preju- 
dice of good order and military discipline, all conduct 
of a nature to bring discredit upon the military service, 
and all crimes and offenses not capital, of which per- 
sons subject to military law may be guilty shall be 
taken cognizance of by a general or special or sum- 
mary court-martial according to the nature and degree 
of the offense, and punished at the discretion of the 
court. 

Art. 97. When and by Whom Ordered. — A court of 
inquiry to examine into the nature of any transaction 
of or accusation or imputation against any officer or 



RECRUIT MANUAL 145 

soldier may be ordered by the President or by any com- 
manding officer ; but a court of inquiry shall not be or- 
dered by any commanding officer except upon the re- 
quest of the officer or soldier whose conduct is to be 
inquired into. 

Art. 104. Disciplinary Powers of Commanding Offi- 
cers. — Under such regulations as the President may 
prescribe, and which he may from time to time revoke, 
alter, or add to, the commanding officer of any detach- 
ment, company, or higher command may, for minor 
offenses not denied by the accused, impose disciplinary 
punishments upon persons of his command without the 
intervention of a court-martial, unless the accused de- 
mands trial by court-martial. 

The disciplinary punishments authorized by this 
article may include admonition, reprimand, withhold- 
ing of privileges, extra fatigue, and restriction to cer- 
tain specified limits, but shall not include forfeiture 
of pay or confinement under guard. A person punished 
under authority of this article, who deems his punish- 
ment unjust or disproportionate to the offense, may, 
through the proper channel, appeal to the next superior 
authority, but may in the meantime be required to 
undergo the punishment adjudged. The commanding 
officer who imposes the punishment, his successor in 
command, and superior authority shall have power to 
mitigate or remit any unexecuted portion of the pun- 
ishment. The imposition and enforcement of disci- 
10 



146 RECRUIT MANUAL 

plinary punishment under authority of this article for 
any act or omission shall not be a bar to trial by court- 
martial for a crime or offense growing out of the same 
act or omission; but the fact that a disciplinary pun- 
ishment ha§ been enforced may be shown by the ac- 
cused upon trial, and when so shown shall be consid- 
ered in determining the measure of punishment to be 
adjudged in the event of a finding of guilty. 

Art. 106. Arrest of Deserters by Civil Officials. — It 
shall be lawful for any civil officer having authority 
under the laws of the United States, or of any State, 
Territory, District, or possession of the United States, 
to arrest offenders, summarily to arrest a deserter from 
the military service of the United States and deliver 
him into the custody of the military authorities of the 
United States. 

Art. 107. Soldiers to Make Good Time Lost.— Every 
soldier who in an existing or subsequent enlistment 
deserts the service of the United States or without 
proper authority absents himself from his organization, 
station, or duty, for more than one day, or who is con- 
fined for more than one day under sentence, or while 
awaiting trial and disposition of his case, if the trial 
results in conviction, or through the intemperate use of 
drugs or alcoholic liquor, or through disease or injury 
the result of his own misconduct, renders himself un- 
able for more than one day to perform duty, shall be 
liable to serve, after his return to a full-duty status. 



RECRUIT MANUAL 147 

for such period as shall, with the time he may have 
served prior to such desertion, unauthorized absence, 
confineanent, or inability to perform duty, amount to 
the full term of that part of his enlistment period which 
he is required to serve with his organization before 
being furloughed to the Army reserve. 

Art. 111. Copy of Record of Trial. — Every person 
tried by a general court-martial shall, on demand there- 
for, made by himself or by any person in his behalf, be 
entitled to a copy of the record of the trial. 

Art. 121. Complaint of Wrongs. — Any officer or sol- 
dier who believes himself wronged by his command- 
ing officer, and, upon due application to such com- 
mander, is refused redress, may complain to the gen- 
eral commanding in the locality where the officer 
against whom the complaint is made is stationed. The 
general shall examine into said complaint and take 
proper measures for redressing the wrong complained 
of; and he shall, as soon as possible, transmit to the 
Departmicnt of War a true statement of such complaint, 
with the proceedings had thereon. 

XXX. DEFINITIONS. 

ABATIS consists of trees lying parallel to each other 
with branches sharpened pointed in general direc- 
tion of approach and interlaced ; twigs and small 
leaves trimmed off. 



148 RECRUIT MANUAL 

ACCIDENTAL COVER includes accidents of terrai'i 
not of natural origin, which can be used to advantage 
as cover from view and fire. Such are walls, fences, 
buildings, ditches, embankments, cuttings, etc. 

ALIGNMENT is a straight line upon which several 
elements are formed, or are to be formed; or the 
dressing of several elements upon a straight line. 

APPROACHES or zig-zag trenches are roadways or 
trenches affording communication between advanced 
trenches and the rear; there should be at least 3 — 
right, left and center. 

BANQUETTE is a tread next to interior slope and 
above trench. 

BARRAGE is a curtain of artillery fire. 

BARRICADES are barriers hastily built of objects 
nearest at hand (stone, timber, furniture, brick, etc.) 
to obstruct the passage of a street and to afford a 
breastwork for defenders. 

BASE is the element upon which a movement is 
regulated. 

BASE, NAVAL, is a port available to naval vessels so 
using it, to afford shelter, repairs, supplies and 
reenforcement. 

BASE OF OPERATIONS is a geographical point used 
for training, supply, reenforcement, repairs, etc. 

BATTLE SIGHT: The position of the rear sight 
when the leaf is laid down. The relative range of 
the rifle when set with battle sight is 530 yds. 



RECRUIT MANUAL 149 

BEATEN ZONE: The intersection of cone of disper- 
sion with surface on which objective of fire stands, 
or space on ground in which bullets strike, in a series 
of shots fired by a body of soldiers with same aiming 
point and same rear sight setting. 

BERM: Tread between ditch or trench and parapet. 

BILLET: To assign soldiers quarters in a private 
house. 

BIVOUAC: A temporary encampment of soldiers 
without tents, usually for one night only. 

BLOCKHOUSE: A small room or house with bullet- 
proof walls loopholed for infantry, often for machine 
guns, and sometimes for light quick-firing guns. 

BORE: The cylindrical cavity in small-arms barrel. 

BRUN SPIRALS: Two coils of strong smooth wire 
wound in opposite directions to 5 feet diameter; op- 
posite coils fastened to each other at 4 or 5 points 
around circumference, so that if one end is staked to 
ground and other end pulled, a double spiral will be 
formed. Under bombardment the tendency of these 
spirals is to tangle and become more intricate. 

BRUSH WORK: Brush used in revetting; best is 
birch, willow, ash, hickory, hazel. For weaving it 
must be live and is most pHable when not in leaf. 

BUTT: Embankment or other means used to stop 
bullets in rear of target. Plural used to designate 
collectively the parapet, pit, and back stop of a group 
of targets. 



150 RECRUIT MANUAL 

CALIBER: Interior diameter of small-arms barrel, 
measured between lands. 

CANT : To revolve barrel of piece on its axis to right 
or left while firing or aiming. 

CANTONMENT: Group of lodgings where troops 
rest, are subsisted, and are trained. 

CAPONIER: See Tambour. 

CHEVAUX-DE-FRISE: An obstacle made of 
sharpened sticks or spikes placed X-shape upon a 
beam to obstruct passage of troops. Usually placed 
on land but sometimes in shallow water of a beach 
where enemy troops may land. 

CLOSE ORDER: See Order. 

COHESION : A term appHed to a unit of troops to 
indicate that they are disciplined : that they are cap- 
able of unity of action in response to the will of the 
commander. 

COLOR: Implies National Flag; it includes regimen- 
tal color when both are present. 

COMMAND : A unit under the control of a military 
commander. 
Command : Has reference to difference of elevation : 
a higher point commands a lower point within 
range. 
Command: Height of parapet, or elevation of in- 
terior crest above plane of sight. 

COMMUNICATING TRENCH: Trenches forming 
passageways toward the enemy. 



RECRUIT MANUAL 151 

CONE OF DISPERSION: Figure formed in space 
by trajectories considered together of a series of shots 
fired by a body of soldiers at a common objective 
with same rear-sight setting. 

COSSACK POST : Consists of 4 men as an observa- 
tion group similar to sentry squad but employing 
a single sentinel at a time. 

COUPURE: (1) Entrenchment made behind a 
breach. (2) Passage cut through glacis of reenter- 
ing angles of a covered way to facilitate sallies. 

COUNTERSCARP: Side of ditch toward enemy. 

COVER: Protection from fire or view. Horizontal 
cover gives protection against direct or horizontal 
fire. Overhead cover, protection against indirect or 
high-angle fire and fragments of shells and shrapnel 
bursting overhead. Overhead covers often referred 
to as bombproofs or splinter-proofs — the latter, if 
they are light, proof against rifle fire or fragments of 
shell or shrapnel; the former, if strong enough to 
resist curved fire and vertical fire of siege guns and 
mortars. Splinter-proof also applied to horizontal 
cover thick enough to stop fragments of shell or 
shrapnel. 

CRESTS: (1) Exterior crest is contour where exterior 
and superior slopes meet. (2) Interior crest is meet- 
ing of superior and interior slopes. (3) Topographi- 
cal crest is highest contour of a slope. (4) Military 
crest is contour from which all ground in front can 
be seen and reached by fire. 



152 RECRUIT MANUAL g 

DANGER SPACE : Sum of distances in path of bullet 
in which an object of a given height will be struck. 
At long ranges, space at farther end of range alone is 
considered. 

DEAD SPACE: Space in front of a salient of less 
than 120 degrees that cannot be reached by fire from 
faces of salient. 

DEFILADE: Obstacle either natural or artificial of 
sufficient thickness to intercept projectiles and af- 
ford shelter from fire delivered from a given point. 

DELIBERATE INTRENCHMENTS comprise works 
constructed by troops not in line of battle for the 
protection of depots, lines of communication, supply, 
retreat, etc. More carefully designed than hasty 
intrenchments and have greater defense strength. 

DEMOLITIONS: The act of destroying or making 
unserviceable any object in the theater of war, the 
preservation of which would be unfavorable to our 
army or favorable to enemy. 

DEPLOY: To extend front. In general, to change 
from column to line or from close order to extended 
order. 

DEPTH : Space from head to rear of any formation, 
including leading and rear elements. Depth of a man 
is 12 inches. 

DISK, MARKING: A staff, with disk at each end, 
used by the marker in the rifle pit in signalling re- 
sults of hits on target. 



RECRUIT MANUAL 153 

DISTANCE: Space between elements in direction 
of depth. Distance is measured from back of the 
man in front to breast of man in rear. Between 
ranks is 40 inches. 

DRIFT : Lateral deviation of bullet caused by resist- 
ance of the air and rotation of bullet on its longer 
axis. 

ECHELON: An arrangement of troops in the form 
of steps, each division being parallel with the others 
but not in same alignment. Also, term applied to 
different lines of an attack. 

ELEMENT: File, squad, platoon, company, or larger 
body, forming part of a still larger body. 

EMPLACEMENT: Position assigned to guns or the 
foundation for same. 

ENFILE: A position or line is said to be enfiladed 
when subjected to fire from a position in prolonga- 
tion of such line, and such fire is enfilade. 

ENTANGLEMENT: See Wire entanglement. 

EXPERT PISTOL SHOT: Highest classification for 
skill in pistol practice. 

EXPERT RIFLEMAN: Highest classification for 
skill in record range practice with rifle. 

EXPLOITATION OF THE SUCCESS : Term ap- 
plied to that feature of the attack wherein troops, 
previously detailed, pass over the assaulting troops to 
continue the attack and make the most of what has 
been gained by the first assault. 



154 RECRUIT MANUAL 

EXTENDED ORDER: See Order. 

FASCINES: Cylindrical bundle of brush closely 
bound. Usual length 18 feet, diameter 9 inches com- 
pressed. Fascines are used in revetting. 

FIELD FORTIFICATION divided into hasty in- 
trenchments, deliberate intrenchments,, and siege 
works. 

FILE : Two men, the front-rank man and correspond- 
ing man of rear rank. Front-rank man is file leader. 
File which has no rear-rank man is a blank file. The 
term file applies also to a single man in a single-rank 
formation. 

FILE CLOSERS: Such officers and non-commis- 
sioned officers of a com<pany as are posted in rear of 
the line. For convenience, term is applied to all 
men posted in line of file closers. 

FIRE AT WILL: That class of fire in which, within 
restrictions of the command for firing, individuals 
deliver their fire independently of the commander 
and of each other. 

FIRE CONTROL: Or conduct of fire, is the exer- 
cise by a commander, over his unit or units, of that 
power which enables him to regulate the fire in 
obedience to his will. It pertains especially to the 
technicalities immediately involved in delivery of 
fire. 

FIRE DIRECTION : Or employment of fire, is a gen- 
eral term embracing the various steps, including tac- 



RECRUIT MANUAL 155 

tical disposition, which enables commander of one or 
more fire units to bring an effective fire to bear upon 
the desired target at the proper time. It pertains 
especially to preparation of fire. 

FIRE DISCIPLINE: Is that condition of the person- 
nel of a fire unit, resulting from training and prac- 
tise, which enables the commander to obtain an 
orderly and efficient delivery of fire. It implies, be- 
sides, a habit of obedience, a control of the rifle by 
the soldier, the result of training, which will enable 
him in action to make hits instead of misses. It 
embraces taking advantage of the ground; care in 
setting the sights, and care in delivery of fire ; con- 
stant attention to the orders of the leaders and care- 
ful observation of the enemy; an increase of fire 
when target is favorable and a cessation of fire when 
enemy disappears; economy of ammunition. Fire 
discipline permits concentration of fire and secures 
surprises. 

FLANK: The right or left of a command in line or 
column; also the element on the right or left of a 
line. 

FOUGASSE: A land mine whose crater is dug in- 
clined toward the enemy with an axis of about 45 
degrees. 

FRAISE: A palisade horizontal, or nearly so, pro- 
jecting from the scarp or counterscarp of an intrench- 
ment. 



156 RECRUIT MANUAL 

FRONT: The space, in width, occupied by an ele- 
ment, either in line or column. The front of a man 
is assumed to be 22 inches. Front also denotes direc- 
tion of the enemy, 

FUSILIERS: Riflemen. 

GABION : A cylindrical basket with open ends made 
of brush woven on pickets or stakes. Usual 
size 2 feet outside diameter; 33 inches height of 
wattling. 

GALLERY : Horizontal underground communica- 
tions. Great or Grand Galleries are 6 feet high by 
7 feet wide; Common Galleries, 6 feet by 3.5 feet; 
Half Galleries, 4.5 feet by 3 feet; Branches, 3.5 feet 
by 2.5 feet ; Small Branches, 2.5 feet by 2 feet. 

GALLERY PRACTICE : Firing at reduced targets at 
short ranges with small-caliber rifles. 

GAS MASK: Protective mask against suffocating 
gas. 

GRENADE: Explosive missile thrown by hand or 
projected by rifle. 

GRENADIER: Specially instructed man in grenade 
combat. 

GROOVES: Spiral channels within bore or rifle 
barrel. 

GUIDE: An officer or non-commissioned officer or 
private upon whom the command or elem<ents thereof 
regulates march. 



RECRUIT MANUAL 157 

HASTY INTRENCHMENT: Field fortification re- 
sorted to by troops upon the battlefield to increase 
or prolong their fighting power, usually constructed 
in presence of enemy and in haste. 

HEAD: Leading element of a command. 

HEAD : Term sometimes applied to Latrine, term be- 
ing adopted from its use afloat. 

HEAD COVER: Term applied to any horizontal 
cover which may be provided above the plane of fire. 
It is obtained by notching or loopholing top of 
parapet so that bottoms of notches or loopholes are 
in desired plane of fire. 

HIGH EXPLOSIVE SHELL (" H. E.") : Artillery 
projectile containing an explosive which produces 
its eflfect by the rupture of the shell and the blast of 
its gases. 

HURDLE : Basketwork made of brushwood for revet- 
ment. Usual size 6 feet by 33 inches, though width 
may be varied so that it will cover desired height of 
slope. 

ILLUMINATING CARTRIDGE, 25 mm. (1 inch) 
with parachute, disengages at 136 yds. a star para- 
chute that burns 30 seconds and is incendiary. 

ILLUMINATING GRENADE: Cardboard pellet 
size of tennis ball, thrown by hand, and illuminates 
place where it falls for 1 minute. 

ILLUMINATING ROCKETS: Release a parachute 
with star at from 270 to 500 yds., and illumination 
lasts 30 seconds. 



158 RECRUIT MANUAL 

ILLUMINATING STAR: 25 mm., without para- 
chute ; lights at 50 yds. from point of departure and 
illumines for 6 seconds while falling. 

INDIVIDUAL PRACTICE: The firing on the range 
by which individual soldier receives his instruction 
and by which his classification is determined. 

INNER: Annular division of bull's-eye targets A, 
B, and C, outside the center. Hits therein count 3. 

INSTRUCTION PRACTICE: Prescribed firing on 
range which precedes record practice and which is de- 
voted to instruction of the soldier. 

INTERVAL: Space between elements of same line. 
Interval between men in ranks is 4 inches and is 
measured from elbow to elbow. Between companies, 
squads, etc., it is measured from the left elbow of the 
left man or guide of group on the right, to the right 
elbow of the right man or guide of the group on the 
left. 

KNEELING TRENCH: Hasty intrenchment for 
troops kneeling. Dirt from trench makes parapet. 
Width of trench at bottom from 2.5 to 3 feet; relief 
3 feet. 

LANDS: Spaces in bore of rifle barrel between 
grooves. 

LATRINES : Privy or water-closet. Sometimes 
called Head. 

LEFT: The left extremity or element oi a body of 
troops. 



RECRUIT MANUAL 159 

LIAISON : Means of maintaining communication be- 
tween units, especially of different arms or services. 

LINE: Formation in which different elements are 
abreast of each other. 

LINE OF AIM: Imaginary right line adjoining mid- 
dle point of horizontal line of the open sight, or center 
of peep sight, and the point of aim. 

LISTENING POSTS: Small posts, dug in and with 
overhead cover, about 20 to 100 yards in front of 
fire trenches; connected with fire trench by means 
of alarms and by commiunication leading back 
through main belt of entanglement. 

LONG RANGE : From 800 to 1200 yards. 

LUNETTE: An open field work with a trace of 4 
Hnes : 2 called faces, and 2 called shoulders. 

MARKSMAN : Grade of rifleman just below that of 
sharpshooter. 

MASKS: A field fortification device which conceals 
the defender from assailant's view; e.g., embank- 
ments, screens, etc. 

MIDRANGE: From 500 to 800 yards. 

MIRAGE: A word used to designate the heat waves 
observed on target range on warm days. The waves 
indicate the direction in which air is moving. Also 
an optical effect produced on an extended plain when 
the lower strata of air are at very different tempera- 
ture from higher strata. Distant objects are seen, 
usually inverted, in the air. 



160 RECRUIT MANUAL 

MITRAILLEUSE: A machine gun. 

MELEE: A mix-up. 

MELINITE: A bursting explosive; upon explosion 
generates very poisonous gas. 

N. C. O. : Abbreviation for non-commissioned officer. 

OBSERVATION POSTS : See Listening posts. 

OBSTACLES : Devices used to retard the advance of 
assailant; e.g,, abatis, wire entanglements, etc. 

O'CLOCK: A term employed to indicate, by means 
of the divisions on clock dial, location of hit on target 
or direction from which wind blows. In speaking 
of a hit, the dial is supposed to occupy the front of 
target facing firer with 12 at top. In speaking of 
wind, dial is supposed to lie on ground with 12 to- 
ward target and center at ifiring point. See also Sec- 
tion XXIII, Par. 1. 

ORDER, CLOSE: Formation in which units, in dou- 
ble rank, are arranged in line or in column, with nor- 
mal intervals and distances. 

ORDER, EXTENDED: Formation in which units 
are separated by intervals greater than in close order. 

ORIENT: To get bearings. To orient oneself on a 
map is to find one's position on the map. 

OUTER: Space on bull's-eye targets A, B and C out- 
side the inner; value of hits therein are 2. 

OUTGUARD: Constitute line of small detachments 
farthest to the front and nearest the enemy. For 



RECRUIT MANUAL 161 

convenience they are classified as pickets, sentry 
squads and cossack posts. 

OVERHEAD COVER: See Cover. 

PACE: 30 inches; the length of full step in quick 
time. 

PAIRING: Carrying 2 rods together, crossing each 
other in and out at each picket, in bush weaving for 
revetting materials. 

PALISADE: A man-tight fence of posts. 

PARADOS: A mask to secure protection against re- 
verse fire ; they are mainly parallel to parapet which 
they shelter. 

PARALLELS: Trench passageways parallel to the 
front. 

PARAPET : A breastwork. A wall or bank to cover 
troops from front attack. 

PASSING THE LINES is a term appHed when re- 
serve battalions cross the line of battalions that have 
just delivered the assault, to attack farther to the 
front. 

PICKET: A group consisting of 2 or more squads, 
ordinarily not exceeding half a company, posted in 
line of outguards to cover a given sector. It fur- 
nishes patrols, and one or more sentinels, dou- 
ble sentinels, sentry squads, or cossack posts for 
observation. 

PIT: The space between parapet and butt or bullet 
stop occupied by markers on target range. 
11 



162 RECRUIT MANUAL 

PITS : See Trous de loup. 

POINT OF REST: Point at which a formation be- 
gins. Specifically, the point toward which units are 
aligned in successive formations. 

PRELIMINARY DRILLS: Sighting, position and 
aiming drills; gallery practice, deflection and eleva- 
tion correction drills. 

PRELIMINARY PRACTICE: Prescribed firing on 
range which precedes competitions. 

PROFILE: Section of any cover made by a vertical 
plane perpendicular to its general direction or prac- 
tically parallel to the direction of fire against and 
over it. 

PRONE: Lying flat on belly. 

QUICK FIRE: The class of fire employed in instruc- 
tion and record practice for pistol and revolver when 
bobbing targets are specified. 

RANDING: Weaving a single rod in and out between 
pickets in making revetting materials. 

RANGE: (1) Distance of objective from firer, usually 
stated in yards. (2) Any tract of land over which 
firing with small arms is conducted. 

RANGE DETERMINATION: Finding the range to 
an object by use of instrumental range finders, meas- 
urement, calculation, or trial shots or volleys. 

RANGE OFFICER: A commissioned officer charged 
with care, police^ etc., of a target range and its 
accessories. 



RECRUIT MANUAL 163 

RANK: A line of men placed side by side. 

RAPID FIRE. Class of fire employed in instruction 
and qualification practice in which a time is set for 
completing a score or scores. 

REDAN : A salient considered as a separate work. 

REDOUT: A work entirely inclosed by defensive 
parapets. Called fort when it has unusual strength. 

RE-ENTRANT ANGLE : Angle of trace of field work 
with vertex toward defender. 

RELIEF: The elevation of the interior crest of a 
parapet above the lowest surface immediately in 
front — the bottom of the ditch if there is one. With 
no ditch and on level sight, relief is same as com- 
mand, 

RELIEF: A group of soldiers of the guard that fur- 
nishes substitutes for men on guard or post. 

REVETMENTS : A covering or facing placed upon an 
earth slope to enable it to stand at an inclination 
greater than its natural inclination. 

RICOCHET: A bullet which rebounds after striking 
the ground or any other obstacle and continues its 
flight. 

RIGHT : The right extreni,ity or element of a body of 
troops. 

SALIENT : An angle in trace of field work with ver- 
tex toward enemy. 

SAND BAG REVETMENT: Sand bag is 33 by 14 
inches. It is loosely filled with earth or sand, and, 



164 RECRUIT MANUAL 



n 



having been placed in position, is flattened with a 
shovel to roughly rectangular form in which it fills 
space of about 20 by 13 by 5 inches. Weight about 62 
pounds per 100 unfilled, and each filled about 65 
pounds. 

SAPPER-BOMBARDIERS: Infantrymen employed 
with low-power trench weapons. 

SAPPERS : Men skilled in sapping. 

SAPPING: Operation of digging saps. 

SAPS : An approach dug under fire working progres- 
sively from one end with protection against fire. The 
end at which digging is in progress is called the sap- 
head. In the single sap construction, protection is 
required in, front and on one side, sand bags being 
used in front and the evacuated materials thrown 
to one side for cover. In double sap 2 parties work 
parallel with each other and throw excavation so as 
to give cover from both sides. 

SCARP: Side of ditch next parapet. 

SCORE: A string of consecutive shots fired in indi- 
vidual practice. Also, number of points registered 
in one or more scores, value of sighting shots being 
excluded. In record practice with rifle: 5 shots in 
slow fire, 10 shots in rapid fire ; 5 shots for automatic 
pistol. In instruction practice 10 or 5 shots may 
constitute a score. 

SCORE BOOK: Contains, forms for recording scores 
and data concerning conditions affecting firing and 
instructions. 



RECRUIT MANUAL 165 

SENTRY SQUAD : Squad posted in observation at 
an indicated point. Posts double sentinel in obser- 
vation, remaining men remaining near by as reliefs. 
Sometimes furnishes a patrol. 

" 75 " is term applied to 75 m,m. rapid-fire gun for 
French light and horse batteries. Practically 3-inch 
caliber. Extreme range 9,300 yards. 

SHAFTS: Underground vertical communication. 

SHARPSHOOTER: Grade of rifleman just below 
that of expert rifleman. 

SHELTER: Term applied to housing or lodging 
troops; e.g., barracks, tents. 

SHELTERS: Field fortification devices for protect- 
ing defender from assailant's fire. 

SHIELDS: See Shelter. 

SHORT RANGE: to 500 yards. 

SHOT MARKS: Disks of thin material, 3, 5, 10 
inches, respectively, with a wire spring of 2 branches 
secured to disk near its center. They are white on 
one side and black on the other, and are used to 
mark on bull's-eye target the position of last shot. 

SHRAPNEL: Projectile which, at bursting point, 
projects its bullets contained within its shell. 

SIEGE ^VORKS: Comprise devices used by besieg- 
ers and besieged in the attack and defense of strong 
fortifications, and especially those devices which en- 
able troops to advance under continuous cover. 



166 RECRUIT MANUAL 

SIGHTING SHOTS: Trial shots which precede 
scores in qualification test, firing to enable soldier 
to determine proper sight or point of aim. 

SKIRMISHER'S TRENCH GIVES COVER TO A 
MAN LYING DOWN: Parapet not to exceed 1 
foot. In soft ground, 2.5 feet front of this trench 
can be constructed by one man in 20 minutes. 

SLEWING: Weaving 2 or more rods together in 
same way. 

SLOPE, EXTERIOR: Side of parapet incHned to- 
ward ditch. 

SLOPE, INTERIOR: Side of parapet incHning to- 
ward trench ; called breast slope. 

SLOPE, SUPERIOR: Surface of parapet between 
interior and exterior slopes. 

SLOW FIRE: Class of fire employed in instruction 
and record practice in which no time limit is imposed 
for completing score. 

SNIPERSCOPE : A device by means of which soldier 
behind a parapet can aim and fire rifle without ex- 
posing himself. 

SOD REVETMENT : Clods of soil with grass left on, 
used to stiflEen embankments. Convenient size: 18 
by 9 by 4.5 inches. 

SORTIE STEPS: Steps for leaving or entering 
trenches. 

SPOTTER: One who, in team practice, announces 
value of shots and indicates on a wooden target, by 
means of pins, the position of hits on range target. 



RECRUIT MANUAL 167 

STANDING TRENCH: Has bottom width of 3 to 
3.5 feet, and relief of 4.5 feet. 

TAMBOUR: Small, low,, stockaded inclosure or 
blockhouse situated to fire along a dead angle. 

TASK: A piece of work assigned. The average un- 
trained man can dig about 40 cu. ft., hard soil, 60 
cu. ft., medium soil, or 80 cu. ft., easy soil, during a 
relief of 4 hours' continuous digging. 

TELESCOPIC SIGHT: A magnifying device at- 
tached to barrel of rifle for better defining a distant 
objective, provision being made for adjustments in 
elevation and windage. 

TENAILLE TRACE : Where 2 contiguous trenches 
mutually flank each other. 

TERRAIN : The ground. 

37 MM. GUN: Accurate, light weight, rapid-fire gun 
to accompany infantry as against machine guns. Ef- 
fective range 1600 yards. Fires 20 shots per minute. 
Caliber equivalent to 1.5 inch. 

TRACE: In field fortification, trace is horizontal 
projection of interior crest. Roughly, it is the line 
upon which the trench is constructed. 

TRAJECTORY: Path described by bullet in air. 

TRANSVERSALS: Trench passageways parallel to 
front. 

TRAVERSE : Mask to secure protection against very 
obHque, enfilade or reverse fire, by intercepting them 
before they fall below plane of desired protection. 



168 RECRUIT MANUAL 

TRENCHES are classified as firing, communicating 
and cover. 

TROUS DE LOUP : Excavations in shape of inverted 
cones or pyramids, with pointed stake in bottom. 
Sometimes called military pits, 

TWIST: Spiral formed by the grooves in the barrel 
of a rifled piece. 

WATLING: General term applied to woven part of 
brush construction. 

WAVE: A deployed line of attackers 

WINDAGE: The influence of the wind in deflecting 
bullet from point aimed at; also, amount of change 
made on wind gauge. 

WIRE ENTANGLEMENT : Stakes driven in ground 
connected by wire, passing horizontally or diagon- 
ally, or both. Wire usually barbed. In high en- 
tanglement stakes average 4 feet from ground and 
wire horizontal and diagonal. In low wire entangle- 
ment stakes average 18 inches above ground and 
wire is horizontal only. 
WORKING PARTIES: Made up into reliefs and as 

far as possible of complete units. 
ZERO: Reading of wind gauge of rifle necessary to 
overcome drift at a particular range; all allowances 
for wind should be calculated from this reading. 
" Zero " is obtained by shooting trial shots on a per- 
fectly calm day. 



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,,J:,JBRARY OF CONGRESS 



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